Ben E. Fellows
October 13, 1940 ~ February 22, 2024
Age 83, passed away on February 22, 2024 in Mesa, Arizona. He was the husband to Peggy Louise Doyle Fellows. They shared 44 years of marriage. (married June 2, 1979)
Born in Ames, lowa, he was the son of Marjorie Reichenbach and Dr. Joe Fellows. Ben excelled as an athlete throughout his school years. He was awarded a Football Scholarship to play for Bud Wilkinson at the University of Oklahoma, Norman. He transferred his Senior year to lowa State and graduated in 1964. Ben earned his CPA and was an Executive until purchasing his own business and continued to be an entrepreneur and consultant throughout his career.
Ben was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and Gold Canyon Rotary. He enjoyed volunteering at the Apache Junction Food Shelf, and for 35 years leading mission trips to help Bosnia rebuild after the Balkan War. He will be remembered for his kind, gentle heart and amazing smile.
Ben is survived by wife, Peggy; children, Patti (Michael) Lindberg, Jim (Jennifer) Fellows; grandchildren, Andy (Paulina) Lindberg, Joe Lindberg; and sister Jean Welling. He was predeceased by his parents, Marjorie and Dr. Joe Fellows; siblings, Joe & Sally Fellows; brother-in-law Vaughn Welling and in-laws, Louise and Bernie Doyle.
Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Friday, March 1st with visitation beginning at 10 AM at The Church of Saint Peter, Forest Lake. Interment at Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Lakes Life Care Center, 840 Broadway Ave. W, Forest Lake, MN 55025 or Family Pathway Food Shelf, 935 Lake St. S., Forest Lake, MN 55025
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Photo Gallery
Dear Peggy and family,
I was saddened to learn of Ben’s passing. Although I only had the privilege of meeting him later in his life, the impact he made on me during our time together remains profound. In 2013, Ben extended an invitation for me to accompany him on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Bosnia.
During our journey, we worked side by side to enhance the facilities of the Mother’s Village Orphanage, an experience that underscored Ben’s unwavering commitment to helping those in need. Additionally, we shared in the spiritual nourishment of daily English masses at Saint James Church, where Ben’s reverence for his faith was unmistakable. Both the orphanage and the church held a special place in Ben’s heart, serving as embodiments of his generosity and profound Christian devotion.
As I reflect on our time together, it is these qualities of kindness, generosity, and steadfast faith that I will cherish most about Ben. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time, and may you find solace in the enduring legacy of his remarkable spirit.
With heartfelt condolences,
Jack Behan
My sincere condolences to the family, and to you, my dear friend, thank you for all the days we spent together in the holy place of Medjugorje, which you loved so much. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace, God. Vesna and Vlado with their family
Thank you Vesna. Your picture and melinjkas has been on his office wall and his room the last couple of years
Our warmest condolences on behalf of the Fontein-Fonteyn-Fontijn family in The Netherlands
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Jim and family, we are so sorry for the loss of your dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
March 1, 2024
Ben E. Fellows
My name is Robert Mohle, and I want share my journey with Ben.
When I retired in 2014, my wife, Valerie, I’m sure, was concerned with what I would do, chose to send me on a work mission trip to Medjugorje, Bosnia. We’d been there briefly a few years before, but only to visit “Mothers Village” the Franciscan Home and hike Apparition Hill to Mother Mary.
The trip sounded interesting, so I filled out the application and turned it in. Well, enter Ben Fellows and St David’s Humanitarian Relief Foundation into my life. Valerie and I are fulltime residents in Arizona but Ben and Peggy, as you know, back then were winter guests to Arizona living most of the year here in Forest Lake, so I had no clue who they were, didn’t know they were St George parishioners and we attended different Masses. In fact, that year Ben had a conflict and didn’t even attend the work mission. He just coordinated the experience for the 12+ people that did sign up, something he had been doing for several years.
Wonderful things happened on that trip. I personally experienced 3 miracles and a conversion of my heart. Shortly after I returned from the trip, I met Ben and he wanted to hear all about my experience and how the work mission went; Mother’s Village, Apparition Hill, Mt. Krizevac (Cross Mountain) … I shared my experiences, and he recruited me to help share the opportunity with others, bringing them closer, in their personal relationship with Mother Mary. We made the mission trip in late July, every year for the next 5 years. Our last in 2018.
One of my favorite movies is “The Bucket List”, especially the very last few minutes where Edward (Jack Nicholson) eulogizes his dear friend of 3 months, Carter (Morgan Freeman). While Ben and I shared more time, the last 10 years, I am convinced he had a similar effect on my life.
He was my shepherd, leading me not just to Mother Mary and a stronger faith with Christ, but to daily faith-filled living. We spent hours together praying the Rosary and discussing the St David’s missions. We helped rebuild a church in Drinovici, Bosnia. We cleared the “Stations of the Cross” path on the Island of Badija in Croatia at the Franciscan Monastery built in the 15th century. I could go on and on.
In early 2018, the year of our last trip, Ben called me to talk. He told me he had been diagnosed with MCI. Mild cognitive impairment is the stage between the expected decline in memory and thinking that happens with age and the more serious decline of dementia. MCI may include problems with memory, language or judgment. People with MCI may be aware that their memory or mental function has “slipped.” Family and close friends also may notice changes. I noticed many of the symptoms, particularly how quiet he would become and struggled with basic conversations. We discussed Medjugorje and how he wanted to go back one last time. We agreed that we would make it happen and Peggy agreed, if I was assisting him. We made the journey, we celebrated the birth of my first grandchild on the top of Mt Krizevac, we shared a Rosary with Mother Mary on the top of Apparition Hill, and it may have been the most special time for both of us. When we got back, we agreed that regardless of what we were doing we would share the Rosary together, we sat in Ben’s office or Facetimed weekly for the next few years until Ben was no longer capable as his impairment progressed.
I could easily rewrite what Edward Cole said in “The Bucket List” eulogy regarding Carter, for
Ben and I:
Ben and I shared our faith together, which is amazing when you think that just a few years ago
we were complete strangers. The last years of his life were some of the best years of mine. He
strengthened my faith and my life. I’m deeply proud, that this man found it worth his while to get
to know me and shepherd me on a faith filled journey.
I will miss you Ben.
Your friend,
Bob
My condolences to Peggy and the family. My fondest memory of Ben was when we worked in central Bosnia in the village of Milaševci. It was with St David’s Relief in the summer of 2004. Our project that year was to help build a schoolhouse for the village children. I have a picture of Ben and I. We were working on some type of trench for a future concrete fence for the school. Ben and I look like CPAs doing hard time for bad tax returns! Ben did great work for the people of Bosnia after the war. They rewarded him by giving him their affection and showing their courage and their great faith in God. Be at peace, Ben, your work down here is completed. I will have a Mass said here in Fort Worth by Father Kenneth Bolin for the repose of your soul.
Thanks Dave. I was with you with on that trip. We even went to see the bear. It was an amazing experience in the village. GOD bless