Barry Bengston
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On March 20, 2020 @ 12:00 pm In 2020,Obituaries | 28 Comments
Barry Bengston, age 65, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away unexpectedly due to natural causes, at his home, on March 19, 2020.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 20 at 11 am, with a time of gathering from 9-10:45 am, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake. Masks are required and with social distancing maintained. Jean Breeggemann will lead the celebration.
On September 10, 1954, in Alexandria, MN, Barry Clark was born the fourth of five children to Dale and Ardis (Johnson) Bengston. He grew up in Apple Valley, MN, along with siblings, Brad, Jackie, Bruce and Judy. In February of 1968, Barry lost his mother unexpectedly. In June of 1969, his father married Julie Fylling and the family grew to include her children, Nick, Judy and Teresa. Growing up Barry enjoyed riding a unicycle, hanging out with friends, and listening to music. He especially liked going to his grandparent’s farm in Kensington, MN and going to the family cabin in Nashwauk, MN. Barry graduated from Rosemount High School, in 1973.
In his younger years, Barry worked for Clark Gas Station for quite a while and later Fabcon and Twin City Minerals. His main career spanned almost three decades working for the Prior Lake School District as a custodian. He retired as a head custodian from Westwood Elementary on September 27, 2019. He was known to most as Mr. Barry. Well respected by students and faculty, Barry could fix anything and everything. On Friday’s, he would send out music trivia songs to the staff. He saw many generations pass through the halls, including his son, Joe.
Barry had been previously married and from this union had a son, Lucas in 1976. They eventually went their separate ways. It was through mutual friends, Barry met Deborah Kroyer, in 1978. It was New Years Eve of 1979; they became destined to each other and have been together ever since. Barry and Deb were married on July 17, 1982. They spent their honeymoon camping in the Boundary Waters. Life was enriched welcoming into their arms a son, Joe on December 30, 1987. The family eventually built a home in Prior Lake in 1989 and spent the rest of their years here. The Bengston family has fond memories traveling to Rio Hondo, TX to visit Deb’s parents. They looked forward going to Deb’s brother, Jerry’s cabin, with countless hours spent on the lake fishing. Barry taught Joe how to fish and how to clean them too. The family also enjoyed camping and spending nights around the campfire telling ghost stories.
Barry enjoyed the simple things in life, sitting on the bench in front of the house, relaxing and listening to the stereo. Weekends were extra special, knowing the neighbors would be over to have a beer with him. Barry loved decorating the yard with solar lights and making whirly birds, out of old fan blades. He never sat idle, for Barry was always tinkering with something. He collected black bears and enjoyed woodworking too.
The last few years, Barry’s life was focused on being a grandpa to Kaylee and Ethan. Every chance he had, Barry would be showing videos or pictures of them to people. He relished the days of going with Deb babysitting the grandkids. Barry had a special bond with them. Now his family will forever miss his loving, caring and compassionate heart. He was patient, practical and a great listener. Barry loved to make people laugh and was quite a jokester. He just loved being around people, especially being together with Deb. They were inseparable!
The legacy of Barry will remain in the hearts of those he loved most wife, Deb; sons, Lucas Bengston, Joe (Jackie) Bengston; grandchildren, Kaylee Bengston, Ethan Bengston; step mother Julie Bengston; siblings, Jackie Cameron, Bruce (Diane) Bengston, Judy Blais; step siblings, Nick (Dar) Fylling, Judy (Bob) Morrison, Teresa (Jim) Reichwein; sister-in-law, Brenda Bengston; many other relatives and countless friends.
Barry is greeted in heaven by parents, Dale and Ardis and brother, Bradley Bengston.
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Deb and family, so sorry to hear of Barry’s passing. I used to work with Barry at WestWood. He was a great guy!
So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all. Angela & Ernie Griffith
From Canada
Debbie~
We are so sorry for your loss.
Mike enjoyed working and visiting with Barry~he’ll be missed.
Mike and Lori Boegeman
To The Bengston Family,
My heart goes out to all of you! I worked with Barry at WestWood Elementary for over a decade. I can picture him in his bright blue work t-shirt and khaki shorts with a cup of flavored coffee in hand. He was remarkable in the sense that he could fix anything from broken pipes, a leaky roof, wobbly desk, or the usual clogged toilet from students putting almost anything they could get their hands on down it. We used to share recipes and he LOVED showing off videos of his granddaughter on his cell phone…boy was he proud! He loved to get to school and email out songs to all of us staff. He loved his old school rock and roll 🙂 .
He will forever be missed but students and staff alike at WestWood, but I will miss my friend with whom I would swap ghost stories.
Sincerely and God Bless,
Lisa Lind
1st Grade Teacher
WestWood Elementary
Wishing the Bengston family my condolences. I had the privilege of working with Barry for years at Westwood. We shared of love of good classic rock music and Inalwsys enjoyed when he would send the staff emails with music links to enjoy , especially on Fridays. I hope you find comfort in knowing that he will be missed by so many.
God Bless
My sympathy to Barry’s family! He was a good guy and such a hard worker! He will be missed!
One heck of a guy!!!! Worked with The Bear Man at PL schools. Gave me my nick name and others. Made me and and others laugh are tails off. Sure gonna miss his excitement!!!!!
Rusty Ol Gun , The Doc, Matlock, Dyno, Tractor Matt, Chucker, Darnell, Bill
Debbie,
So sorry to hear of the loss of Barry, I will be thinking of you and Joey and praying for you during this difficult time.
To all of your family our heart felt condolences. He will be greatly missed by all. His faith tells us however this is not good bye but so long. Please let us know Deb if there is anything we can do to help.
Brenda and Mike Deuth.
My sympathies and prayers for your family . Barry was always helpful and I enjoyed working with him. He will be missed. RIP Barry.
So sorry to hear about Barry. Will miss him very much. Many memories to cherish!
My condolences to the Bengston family. Will miss you a lot Bear Man. Enjoyed having you at WestWood. Great conversations to lighten up everyone’s day. R.I.P. my friend.
So sorry to see Barry passed away. Our prayers are with you.
Dear Barry’s family,
My deepest sympathy to you. Here at WestWood, Elementary many tears have been shed over Barry’s passing. His heart was big and he would help any of us when we needed him. He stopped in a couple weeks ago and was so happy to be retired and was enjoying his beautiful grandchildren. He had great pride in you, his family. I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Karen Zwolenski
Principal, WestWood Elementary
Dear Family…..it’s so hard to express the depth of our sadness….losing another Brother. But there are so many, many memories. Sitting in the garage sharing one too many beers and laughing until our sides ached. Family potluck Christmas dinners and watching football….board games, Dominos, LCR, and Tripoley! Barry was one of a kind….strong, honest and loving. I know the Great Beyond will now be rockin’…..we were blessed to share time with him.
Debbie and family
We were so saddened and shocked to hear about Barry’s passing! It still seems so hard to believe. He was a great man and had so many smiles and love for all of us who knew him. Please know Debbie that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers!! Also I know that the Lord has his arms wrapped around you and your family so tightly and will carry you through this very difficult time!! If there is anything you need don’t hesitate to give us a call. We love you all. God Bless!!
So shocked to hear of Barry’s passing.
I enjoyed working with Bear Man at the schools.. He always had a good story or two to share with our gang..
RIP my friend..
Steve “Doc” & Danna Monnens
Deb and family,
I am so saddened to hear of Barry’s passing. He was one of a kind- the very best kind! Barry was our Head Custodian for many years at WestWood and he did so much for the WestWood staff and students.
Barry could fix anything, and shine the floors like no one else! He had a soft spot in his heart for our kids and staff. A behind the scenes man , Barry never wanted the spotlight, but he definitely deserves a very bright one!
Shine on Barry and know you are loved by many!
Pam Winfield
Former WestWood Elementary Principal
Deb, We were shocked to hear about Barry passing away. He was a long time friend. I have good memories of him over the years. The best time was when he and I worked together at Five Hawks when he first started working for the school. We will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. May God bless you and keep you in his arms.
Deb and boys. My condolences .Barrys such a gentle man, I knew him thru the school district and would see him and mom at grocery store. Hugs and Love
Debbie, so sorry for your loss.
Peace, comfort and blessings to Barry’s family, friends and colleagues. Barry was so kind to the students and staff at WestWood. He was always ready to help out, fix
anything we needed, or give you a great chat on life. He talked of his family often and with such love. Our hearts have a void that can only be eased by remembering Barry and celebrating his life in our hearts.
Dean Davis
Prayers to the family during this heartbreaking time. Barry was always one of my favorite neighbors and had me laughing from a young age about walking on “his street”. He will be missed dearly.
To the Bengston family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I worked with Barry years ago at Pond’s Edge and Westwood. I remember how he surprised the kindergarteners by standing on the roof, dressed as Santa, waiving to them as they left for Christmas break. He was such a great guy, and will be missed by many.
Deb and Joe
We are so sorry to hear of Barry’s passing. We have been remembering back years ago when the boys, Joe, Zack, Jacob and Kyle all played baseball together. Those were good times, and that is how I’d like to remember Barry. My thoughts and prayers are with the Bengston at this difficult time.
Deb and Family
So sorry for your loss, Barry was a great individual
And extremely fun to work with. I wish I would’ve
Gotten work with him more. He will be dearly missed.
Rick Wittman
I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Barry, went to school together and knew other family members hanging out in Apple Valley. My condolences to the entire family and friends, Barry was a thoughtful man and he will always be remembered. RIP Barry Bengston
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So sorry for your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Terry & Mark Lehman