Dale "Moose" Benes, 69, passed away on Wednesday, June 11th 2025, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth with his loving family by his side.

Dale Edward was born February 15, 1956, in Grand Rapids, MN, the son of Edward and Eleanor Benes. He grew up in Grand Rapids and graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1974. Dale married the love of his life, Vicki Foix, on 2/2/80 in Grand Rapids.

Dale had a motto of work hard – play hard.  Dale began his career working alongside his father doing the meat run for Hormel.  Then when his father Ed started Benes Well Drilling in 1962 Dale and his brother worked the family business.  In 1983, he founded Benes Water Tech – Geothermal Heating & Cooling, which he ran until 1990. In 1989 Dale & Bruce took over Benes Well Drilling Inc. from their father, operating it with the help of Robert (Sam) Samuelson until their retirement in 2023.  Dale continued to support his sons in retirement by giving advice – sometimes unwanted – and tinkering.

Growing up Dale rode dirt bikes and motorcycles, he may have even rode a motorcycle through the school and down the main stairs.  He was a golden glove boxer and had his private pilots license.  When the boys were young Dale and his family were very active in Boy Scouts and Taekwon do, where he earned a brown belt.  Dale also had a passion for the outdoors, particularly enjoying turkey hunting, deer hunting and farming in his younger years. Dale was known for his enthusiasm for starting projects such as remodeling the house, gardening, flower beds, etc often leaving them unfinished.

Dale had a love affair with Dr. Pepper and candy.  When reminded to drink water he would say "I know what fish do in the water – I'm not drinking it".

Dale's biggest achievement in life was his business and his family with all his grand and great grandkids.

After finding out in 1995 that he had Blastomycosis (which went undiagnosed for 2 years) his health became an issue and led to lots of degeneration – he never gave up and kept doing what he loved.

He is preceded in death by his parents Ed & Eleanor; great-grandson Carter; and brother-in-law Bill Foix.

Dale is survived by his wife Vicki; sons: Rob (Jena) Benes, Casey Benes & Jen Guith; grandchildren: Celeste, Sierra, Dominic, Breann, Alyssa, Shyanne, Kali & Beau; great-grandchildren: Alyah, Benny, Jax, and Waylon; sister Laurie (Paul) Meyers; brother Bruce Benes; brothers-in-law Tracy (Carole) Foix and Ronald (Ginny) Foix; sisters-in-law Janice (Mike) Heegard and Linda (Harry) Griffith; and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be fondly remembered by his family, friends, and his beloved dog companion, Flower.

A celebration of life will be held at the Grand Rapids Moose Club on Saturday, July 19th from 2pm – 6pm.