Roger Benitt, 69 of Holt, MN passed away suddenly on Friday, September 4, 2020 at his residence with his loving family by his side.

The funeral to celebrate Roger's life will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, September 11, 2020 Rev. Cathie Rhodes officiating at the Holt City Park. We will meet on the ball diamond area on Marshall Avenue and ask that everyone practices self-distancing.  Family members may sit together, but we ask that those visiting keep six-feet away and wear a mask for everyone's protection.  Please bring lawn chairs as sitting will be in the grass area.  Burial will follow at the Holt Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday, September 10, 2020 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Friday at the Holt City Park.

Roger Dale Benitt was born June 6, 1951 in Thief River Falls, MN the son of Rueben and Dolores (Larson) Benitt. He was baptized and confirmed at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Holt, MN. Roger attended Holt Elementary School and graduated from Newfolden High School with the class of 1969.

On July 24, 1976, Roger had his first "meeting" with his future wife, Karen Erickson and the couple were married on the coldest day of the winter on January 15, 1977 at Alma Lutheran Church, rural Argyle, MN. They settled on the Benitt Family Farm in Holt Township and to this union four children were born, Kent, John, Trevor and Jennifer.

Roger was a life-long farmer on the farm which he purchased from his grandparents, raising small grains, pigs, beef, cattle, sheep, and chickens. In 2019 the Benitt Family Farm was honored as a Centennial Farm. In his high school years, Roger worked at Amundgaard Implement in Thief River Falls. He later worked with Dwight Johnson Construction and was a bus driver for Newfolden School District and Tri-Valley Bus.

Roger enjoyed traveling, deer hunting, ice fishing, going to auction sales, flea markets, collecting toy tractors and attending toy tractor shows. He participated in Bus Roadeos where he won at the Minnesota State level and he also participated in Orlando, Philadelphia, Reno and Kansas City at the national level.

He was a member of Nazareth Lutheran Church in Holt where he has served on the parish council. He was also a member of Marshall County Farmers Union, Marshall County Historical Society board, 4-H Leader and Marshall County Group Home board.

Roger was a very talkative and social man who enjoyed visiting with family, friends and strangers alike. He dearly loved his grandchildren and would spend any moment he could with them.

Survivors include his loving wife, Karen of Holt; children, Kent (Lori) Benitt of Warren, MN, John (Farrah) Benitt of Holt, Trevor (Tamara) Benitt of Warren, MN and Jennifer (Eric) Welin of Argyle, MN; grandchildren, Jocelynn & Carsten Benitt, Darby, Brynn & Kasen Benitt, Wyatt, Lane, Maverick & Kolten Welin; sister, Becky (Rodney) Lund; mother-in-law, Doris Erickson; brothers & sisters in-law, Carol (Tom) Tulibaski, Dennis (Kyle) Erickson, Dawn Erickson and Terry (Sheila) Erickson; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his granddaughter, Whitney Welin; parents; father-in-law, Myron Erickson; brother-in-law, Allen Erickson; and nieces, Tabatha Nelson & Jamie Erickson.

Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com