Benedict (Ben) Thome, 87, of Adams, Minn., died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011, at his home near Adams.

Ben was born on July 7, 1924, on a farm near Johnsburg, Minn., to Joseph and Rosina (Faas) Thome; he grew up on a farm near Meyer, Iowa. He served in the Marine Corps during World War II. After the war, he worked at Rath packing in Waterloo, Iowa.

On May 22, 1950, Ben married Mary Magdalen Heimer (Toots) at Johnsburg. He started farming near Johnsburg in 1952. In October 1963, he bought a farm near Adams and moved there in February 1964. He retired from farming in 1990. He lived on his farm until his passing. He worked for KJ Retterath for many years and drove the van for the DAC for 10 years. Ben and Mary loved to travel, visiting many areas of the U.S. and St. Petersburg, Russia, Scotland, and many European countries. He also enjoyed fishing, gardening, playing cards and following the Twins. Ben especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Adams American Legion, and the Catholic Aid Association.

Ben was preceded in death by his son, Brian Thome; grandson, Jacob Christianson; parents, Joseph and Rosina Thome; brother, Joseph Thome; brothers-in-law, Gene Mayer and Larry Hayungs.

Ben and Mary raised eight children: Gary (Jane) Thome, Adams, Dennis (Kathy) Thome, Rose Hill, Kan., Richard (Heather) Thome, Napa, Calif., Brian (Deceased), Peggy (Marty) King, Blaine, Minn., Sharon (Robert) Gieringer, Portland, Maine, Jean (Jim) Sauer, Austin, Ann (Ken) Christianson, Austin; 14 grandchildren: Jeff and Heather King, New Prague, Minn., Mike (Tara) King, Zimmerman, Minn., Michelle (Charles) Groff, Ramsey, Minn., Matt (Amy) Thome, Adams, Pat (Gretchen) Thome, Adams, Sarah (Phil) Limpert, Rochester, Minn., Peter Thome, DeWitt, Iowa, BJ Thome, Rose Hill, Chris Thome, Rose Hill, Nicholas Gieringer, Portland, Zachary Sauer, Austin, Kevin Sauer, Austin, Abby Christianson, Austin, Isaac Christianson, Austin; great-grandchildren: Anthony Foley, Travis and Chase King, Andrew and Leah King, Cullen and Cameren Groff, Ella, Katie and Will Thome, Brandon and Hannah Thome, Emma and Hailey Gieringer; brother, Ralph (Mildred) Thome, Osage, Iowa; sisters: Mary Alice (Tony) Young, Garner, Iowa, Marjorie Mayer, Stacyville, Iowa, Imelda (Vernon) Mayer, Stacyville, Lorna (Ray) Panhoff, Ventura, Iowa, Emilie (Wayne) Gerloch, Carterville, Ill.; many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Thomas Loomis and Father Marty Schaefer officiating. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Adams American Legion Post 146 in charge of military rites. Visitation will be 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Adams Funeral Home on Thursday and at the church for one hour before the service on Thursday. There will be a 3:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus Rosary and a 5:30 p.m. Prayer Service at the Adams Funeral Home on Thursday.

In Lieu of flowers memorial are preferred to Sacred Heart School in Adams, The Adams DAC or the Austin Hospice program.