Bernard "Ben" August Luechtefeld

Bernard "Ben" August Luechtefeld, age 95, of Linn, passed away on Thursday, February 25, 2021, at home surrounded by loving family. Ben was born October 1, 1925, at Beaufort, to Edward J. and Elizabeth J. (Sunderdick) Luechtefeld, one of eight children. Ben attended school at Holy Family Catholic Church in Port Hudson and later went on to earn his GED. After the war, he obtained an associate degree in electrical engineering at St. Louis University. Shortly after his 18th birthday, Ben enlisted, serving his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II, participating in the liberation of the Philippines, and the invasion of Okinawa. On October 4, 1958, Ben was united in marriage to Arlene Kassebaum at Holy Family Catholic Church in Port Hudson. Arlene survives at their home. Ben had many skills and used them throughout his career in jobs ranging from farmer to bulldozer operator, radar site technician, computer field engineer, and finished his career retiring after 20+ years at SSM Health Care St. Mary's Hospital at the age of 81. Ben enjoyed deer and turkey hunting, fly fishing for trout, and crappie fishing at Truman Lake. He was an avid sports fan following the Cardinals, Rams, Chiefs, and the Mizzou Tigers. He also liked to play golf. Ben was a jack of all trades, there was nothing he couldn't fix. Family was very important to Ben and he enjoyed spending time with his kids and grandchildren. Ben was a member of St. George Catholic Church in Linn where he and Arlene raised their family and lived for 55 years, having moved to Linn from Belleville, Illinois. In addition to his wife, Arlene, of 62 years, Ben is survived by his seven children, Betty (Terry) Vollmer of Pilot Grove, Barb Kiso (Pat Hasenbeck) of Taos, Robert (Lesia) Luechtefeld of Roeland Park, Kansas, Roger (Lisa) Luechtefeld of O'Fallon, Beverly (Jon) McCracken of New Bloomfield, Belinda (Brent) Pickett of Lake St. Louis, and Becky (Steve) Haden of O'Fallon; 13 grandchildren, DeAnn, Alicia, Bradley, Kelsey, Amanda, Brianna, Kyla, Isabel, Braden, Sydney, Caleb, Molly, and Hannah; eight great-grandchildren; along with many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Ben was preceded in death by two sisters, Irene Bade and Maggie Parmentier; five brothers, Harry, Robert, Jim, Frank, and Eddie; two brothers-in-law, Leonard Kassebaum and Robert Bade; and a sister-in-law, Loretta Kassebaum. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 4, 2021, at St. George Catholic Church in Linn. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 a.m. with Fr. Colin Franklin as the Celebrant. Interment with Full Military Honors will be in the St. George Parish Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Vitae Society or St. George Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Morton Chapel, Linn, Missouri (573-897-2214). www.mortonchapel.com