Bennett George Belden

Bennett "Benn" George Belden, 66, of Plymouth, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Benn was born in St. Cloud, MN in 1958 to Calvert and Lois Belden, who raised him and his 5 siblings in Crystal, MN. At age 9, he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Whether it was through playing sports, drumming, or making memories with his friends and family, T1D didn’t stop Benn from living life to the fullest.

In 1975, Benn was an Armstrong Senior High football team captain. After graduating high school, he played football at St. John’s University in 1976, when the team won the Division III NCAA National Championship. He went on to study in Oslo, Norway, and then finished his degree at the University of Minnesota. Benn had a career in banking and finance for 40 years.

Benn met his partner in life, Mary, in 1988 at his 30th birthday party. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married in 1991. They loved playing card games, attending concerts and sporting events, and traveling together. Benn and Mary were happy to complete their family when their daughters, Katelyn and Anna, were born. Benn loved cheering them on at their sports games and music and theatre performances.

We will always remember how Benn made the best of any situation with a big smile, a hearty laugh, and a clever sense of humor. We couldn’t have asked for a better husband and father, and we will miss him every day.

Benn was preceded in death by his parents, Calvert and Lois and brother-in-law, Frank, and is survived by his wife, Mary; his daughters, Katelyn and Anna; siblings, Rebecca Strupeck, Daniel, Ginny Belden-Charles (Dan), Timothy, and Tony (Mary Thureson), and many loving family and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 15th, 2025 at Brookview Golf Course, 316 Brookview Parkway S, Golden Valley, MN 55426 at 2:00 pm, with a visitation starting at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) in his honor.