Bennett "Ben" Leitch

Bennett Craig Leitch, 50, Underwood, Minnesota passed away in his home early on Friday morning, May 3, 2013. A memorial gathering will be held at NP Park in Fergus Falls, Minnesota on Thursday, May 9 at 2:00 p.m. Pastor Kate Bruns will officiate. A family inurnment will take place at a later time.
Ben was born on April 10, 1963, the fourth of five children born to Eugene and Minerva (Grimstad) Leitch. At first he was affectionately dubbed “Benjy.” Later he became “Ben.”
He was a baptized and confirmed member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1981.
Immediately following his graduation, he followed in the footsteps of his two older brothers and enlisted in the United States Air Force. While stationed at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada, he worked as a heavy equipment operator. It was in Las Vegas that he met Michele Morrissey of Illinois. They were married on September 17, 1983. On October 31, 1985, a daughter, Bethany, was born into their family. On July 23, 1987, Ben also became the father of a son, Eric Mychal Norgren.
Ben and Shelly made their home in Fergus Falls. Ben worked in the turkey plant, a bakery and at other jobs, mostly in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area.
About 15 years ago he moved to Underwood to help care for his parents. He was a hard worker and a good housekeeper, carpet cleaner, window washer, etc! He also worked for awhile at Pal-a-Pak.
Ben liked sports, especially hockey. He was a Minnesota Wild fan as well as a Minnesota Vikings and New York Yankees enthusiast. He enjoyed watching movies and TV and had seen every episode of “Law and Order” many times! He was also a pet lover and continued to care for his Mother’s many cats after she passed away one year ago.
Surviving family members include his daughter and grandchildren, Bethany Leitch, Marcus and Kingston and twins Sophia and Josie-Grace, Rock Island, IL; his son, Eric Norgren, Erhard, MN; one sister, Elizabeth (Roy) Hulm, Bison, SD; three brothers, Bradford (Deanna Nelson) Leitch and Barritt (Carmen Holmly), Fergus Falls, MN and Braden (Peggy) Leitch, Kasson, MN; a sister-in-law, Candace Leitch, Fergus Falls, MN; his faithful and loving black Labrador, Annie; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Preceding Ben in death were his parents, Gene Leitch in 2004 and “Mike” Leitch in 2012; his grandparents, Selvin and Mabel Grimstad and Russell and Esther Leitch; a brother-in-law, Kenneth Beld; his Aunt Darnella and Uncle Milo Severson, Uncle Gene Currier, and cousins Mark and Brian Grimstad, Donovan Severson and Theresa Marshall.