Welshons, Benjamin Richard, Sr. of Stillwater, Minnesota. April 22, 1933 - November 6, 2014. Died peacefully at home on November 6, 2014, surrounded by his loving family. Survived by wife, Margaret (Shields); sons Benjamin Jr. (Barbara), Eric (Amy); daughters Ann (Robert) Ordyniec, Nora (David) Vernon; grandchildren Katherine and Ian Welshons; Elizabeth Ordyniec; Alexandria Wright (Douglas), Jacob, Isaac, and Charlotte Welshons; Claire and Maxwell Tuchel; Michael, Grant and Laurel Vernon; and great-granddaughter Roslyn Wright; Sisters-in-law Mary (Echo) Welshons and Lois Welshons and Carol Shields; Brother-in-law Robert Shields (Sally) and many nieces and nephews. Greeted in heaven by parents Mervyn and Charlotte (Hassman) Welshons, brothers Glendon, Mervyn, and John; brother-in-law Larry Shields. Ben was passionate about his family and his friendships. Generous, kind, loving, with a heart overflowing with compassion, Ben's influence cast a wide net. Ben's everyday life embodied the well-known prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi-sowing harmony, light, joy. He truly was an instrument of peace. He cared about social justice on a personal, national, and global level. Ben loved feeding people and was known to say-if you have enough for one more, you have enough for two more, three more, and so forth and so on. Ben took his role as godfather seriously and prayed for each of his sixteen godchildren by name weekly, along with many, many others. Ben had a fine and whimsical sense of humor, which he passed down to his children and grandchildren. Ben (and Margaret) took so many under their very large wings, welcomed so many into their hearts and their family-for a day, a week, a lifetime. Ben was-and is-an amazing and steadfast soul. Ben graduated from the University of St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota. He began his professional life as a probation officer in Washington County and completed his professional life as a clinical psychologist at Ramsey County. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, November 11 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of St. Michael, 611 South 3rd Street, Stillwater. Visitation will be held on Monday, November 10 from 4 - 7 p.m. at Simonet Funeral Home, 6429 Osgood Ave. N., Stillwater and also for one hour prior to the Mass at church. Interment at Fairview Cemetery, Stillwater. Memorials preferred. Simonet Funeral Home 651-439-7770