Ben F Tupa

Benedict F. "Ben" Tupa, age 85 of Grand Forks formerly of Grafton passed away on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at the Valley 4000, Woodside Village, Grand Forks, ND. Ben Tupa was born November 28, 1925 in Veseleyville, North Dakota, the son of the late Joseph and Rose (Matejcek) Tupa. He grew up and attended school there. Following his education he began farming on the family farm near Fordville as well as working for several area farmers. He married Norma Novak on October 22, 1947 in Pisek, North Dakota. The couple moved to Grafton in 1956 and he worked for area gas stations as a mechanic. He also worked for Borden's, as well as Williamson Milk Co. for a short time. He began work for the waste water department for the city of Grafton in 1969 and worked there until retiring in 1983. Norma passed away on September 10, 1984. He was united in marriage to Iva Jorgenson Wiens on May 18, 1985. The couple lived in Grafton until 2009 when they moved to Grand Forks. Ben moved into Woodside Village in April of 2011. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Grafton. He enjoyed farming and loved his vegetable garden and playing his accordion. Ben is survived by his wife Iva Tupa, Grand Forks, ND, daughters: Diane (Ron) Kleven, Stephany Ann (Robert) Vaudrin, Susanne (Dale) Martinson, and Bonnie (Bert) Jackson, all of Grafton, ND; daughter-in-law Carol Tupa, Hoople, ND; step-daughters Judy (Chuck) Dethloff, Forest Grove, OR, Jackie Wiens, Grand Forks, ND, Janis (Jim) Hom, Yorba Linda, CA; step-son Jeffrey Wiens, Lubbock, TX; sister Stephany (Albert) Shirek, Grand Forks, ND; and 19 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and 6 great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Norma, son James, grandson Daniel Vaudrin, brother Joseph Jr., sisters: Rose Melcer, Marie Gjevre, and Marcy Schildberger, great grandson Dustin Vaudrin and great granddaughter Tiffany Vaudrin. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, September 3, 2011 at 11:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Grafton. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 with a rosary at 7:00 PM and a prayer service to follow at Tollefson Funeral Home. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Grafton.