Benjamin Determan

He was born on June 30, 1930, to Benjamin and Veronica in Clinton, Iowa where he spent many happy and formative hours on his grandfather’s farm. He married Victoria Anne “Vicky” Baker on Nov. 20, 1950, and was drafted into the U.S. Army shortly thereafter.

Supported by the GI Bill, Ben graduated from the University of Iowa in 1955 and started his career in the water pump industry. He served as president of The Water Systems Council, and as director and vice president of the National Groundwater Association. In his last position as a field service operations manager, Ben managed the U.S., Canada, and Mexico markets, and traveled to Egypt and Saudi Arabia to address complex pump-related issues.

Ben’s career took the family to homes in Texas, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana over the years before he retired in 1997. After Victoria’s death in 2010 following a happy marriage of nearly 60 years, Ben moved to Iron Mountain, to be closer to his two daughters, Ginni and Molly. On Dec. 31, 2017, Ben married Virginia Mae Sundstrom of Norway, and they enjoyed seven years together, traveling and socializing extensively.

Always active in civic organizations, in his later years Ben was a member and director in Golden K and a leader in the Lifelong Learning program at Bay College. He was also active in the Full Moon Concert Series and a member of the board of directors of the Dickinson County Conservation District.

Ben was a man of faith, an optimist and a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and husband. He enjoyed reminiscing about his life and sharing sage advice, frequently saying that he was grateful for the years he had been granted and that he had NO REGRETS! His signature phrase, “Why wouldn’t I?” inspires us all to challenge ourselves and to try new experiences.

Ben is survived by his wife, Virginia Mae “Ginny” Sundstrom; two daughters, Virginia “Ginni” (Doug) Henke and Mary “Molly” (Mark) Griffin; nine grandchildren, Ben, Lily (Nick), Sam (Callyn), Colin (Sophia), Bridgette (Josh), Aaron, Andrew (Christina), Colin (Christina), and Kate (Nick); five great-grandchildren; his sister, Betty; and Ginny Sundstrom’s family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Victoria, two sisters, and a daughter, Kathlyn Anne.

Visitation will take place on Saturday, March 29 at 10:30 a.m. at Erickson, Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain, with Msgr. Joseph Gouin officiating a funeral service there at 11:30 a.m. Ben will be interred at a later date in Dubuque, Iowa alongside, Victoria, and their daughter, Kathlyn.

Gifts in memory of Ben may be sent to Bay College, 2801 North U.S. 2, Iron Mountain, MI 49801, directed to the Benjamin M. Determan Memorial Scholarship.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Benjamin Mathias Determan online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.