Richard Frank Benesh, 91, of Albert Lea, Minnesota, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Jan. 2, 2016, at St. John’s Lutheran Home of Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Richard was born on July 25, 1924, to James and Zdenka (Kaliwoda) Benesh in Freeborn County. He grew up in the Myrtle area on the family farm.

On May 1, 1949, he married Marcy Galstad in Austin and together they had five children. The couple lived in Austin for 56 years and 10 years ago moved to Albert Lea. He worked for Hormel for 35 years, retiring in 1984.

Richard enjoyed his family, watching his children and grandchildren participating in their activities, golfing, hunting, watching any kind of sports on TV, reading the newspaper, going for coffee with the guys and talking to anyone who would listen.

Richard is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marcy (Galstad) Benesh of Albert Lea; daughters: Ann (Mike) Herman of Alden, Minnesota, and Mary (George) Tschida of Lakeville, Minnesota; and his daughter-in-law Jane (Oussey) Benesh of West Allis, Wisconsin; brother, Ernest Benesh of Owatonna; grandchildren: Jennifer (Matt) VanHal of Lake Jackson, Texas, Joey Tschida and Analiese Tschida; great-grandson Kavan VanHal; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his sons: Richard and Steve Benesh; daughter, Sandy Benesh; and brothers: James and Joseph Benesh.

A mass of the Christian burial will be held at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, at 11 a.m. Family will be greeting family and friends at a visitation that will be held at 10 a.m., one hour prior to mass at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 405 Fourth Street NW, Austin, MN. Burial will be at Bohemian National Cemetery in Myrtle.