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VETERAN
US ARMY
KOREAN WAR
Early Life: Ben was the baby of his family but the leader of his own. This little Frenchman joined three brothers and two sisters when he was born in Dickinson, North Dakota, on March 9, 1928, to Albert and Adianna Beaudoin Ouellette. His first language was French and he could still throw out a few phrases after all these years. He graduated from St. Mary’s in Great Falls, Montana, in 1947.
Life's Work/Service/Interests: Ben joined the United States Army in August of 1950 serving in Korea as a Sgt. 1st Class in the artillery, 3rd Division. He was honorably...
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VETERAN
US ARMY
KOREAN WAR
Early Life: Ben was the baby of his family but the leader of his own. This little Frenchman joined three brothers and two sisters when he was born in Dickinson, North Dakota, on March 9, 1928, to Albert and Adianna Beaudoin Ouellette. His first language was French and he could still throw out a few phrases after all these years. He graduated from St. Mary’s in Great Falls, Montana, in 1947.
Life's Work/Service/Interests: Ben joined the United States Army in August of 1950 serving in Korea as a Sgt. 1st Class in the artillery, 3rd Division. He was honorably discharged in September 1953. His sister, Gladys, introduced her very handsome brother to her tenant, a darling, sweet Minnesota girl named Phyllis Bradley. He finally convinced her he was worthy and they were married September 4, 1954, in Great Falls. Just 10 months later, they welcomed their fiery haired daughter, Cyndi, into the world. About 16 months later, their shy little Lynne joined her. Fourteen months later bulldozer Jeff was born. They took a short break from having babies before welcoming gentle Tom to complete their family in 1961. Ben and Phyllis started married life in a tiny upstairs apartment in Geraldine where he tried his hand at car sales before moving back to Great Falls. He was hired by the Montana Power Company in Great Falls in 1954, transferring to the Missoula gas division in 1966 and ended his career as town manager in Hamilton, Montana, in 1988. During the early years, he often held a second job to support his family and worked at the Red Door Liquor Store and built grain elevators in the summer. He worked hard to support his family. He was gruff but as soft hearted as could be. When he gave you “the look” he meant business though we eventually learned to give it right back. He was at his best in the morning and had a beautiful singing voice which he used to wake his kids, along with toe pinching and light flipping much to their irritation. He played the ukulele and gathered his loved ones around him on Sundays to read the funny papers while we combed his hair. He worked hard but played hard, as well. He bowled in a league, was a great dancer, gardened, golfed a little, did a little bird hunting and enjoyed camping. As much as he loved fishing on Georgetown Lake and Lake Mary Ronan, he most enjoyed watching others catch fish. He believed he had a great poker face and always had a fun time at whatever he was doing. He was the fun dad of the neighborhood, playing kickball and work up with all the kids. He developed the infamous adult Easter Egg hunt which included money and prizes. He was a great taste tester and lover of Kit Kat candy bars. On Dec. 2, 2014, the patriarch, beloved grandfather, father and husband, Ben Ouellette died at the age of 86.
Survived By: Privacy protected. Obituary may have this information, sources available below.
Preceded In Death By: His parents and his siblings: Ernie, Don, Vernon (Doc), Gladys and Rosemary; and by his only grandson, Dylan.
Services: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Hamilton, Montana.
Mortuary: Brothers Mortuary & Crematory
Obituary: Ravalli Republic | 5 Dec. 2014
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
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