Jeffrey "Jeff" Lawrence Malinowski

Jeffrey “Jeff” Lawrence Malinowski, 59, of Benson, Minn., died Sunday, September 29, 2019, in his home. Visitation will be from 9:30-11 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., Friday, October 4, 2019, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson.

Jeffrey (Jeff) Lawrence Malinowski was born on October 22, 1959 to Chester and Beverly (Berendt) Malinowski in Denver, Colorado. He grew up, pulling pig tails and torturing Nuns at St. Jean’s Catholic School in Duluth, Mn where he met his future bride, Susan.  It took him awhile to win her heart, but once he did, they were united in marriage on August 23, 1977 in Tacoma, Washington (where he was stationed for the United States Army). In a short while, their union was blessed with the birth of three children. They shared 42 years of marriage together.

Jeff was a family man, first and foremost. He worked hard to provide for them and when he was home, he played equally as hard. He worked mostly in the long-haul truck driving business, travelling across the United States. Frequently, he would take his wife or children along with him. They had many adventures, sang inappropriate songs, and smarted off on the radio to other truckers along the way.  He was always quick with a joke, had a story for every occasion, and never hesitated to lend a helping hand. He didn’t have much, but what he had, he would give to a person in need. He always stopped along the way to assist a stranded motorist and invited the hungry to our dinner table. If you were in his home, you were FAMILY.

Jeff was ornery at times, but his Grandchildren always brought a smile to his face. He made certain to be there for the arrival of each one of them, and never missed a birthday celebration.  Jeff could talk a stranger’s ear off as if they had known one another for years. Trips to the grocery store were oftentimes lengthy expeditions because of this. He talked frequently of his children and would regale unsuspecting listeners of embarrassing tales where his kids were the stars of the stories. Some of his favorite stories included his eldest daughter doing the potty dance across a truck stop parking lot, kicking the sheriff off the front yard to protect his youngest daughter, and the time his son was electrocuted while washing the family car. He spoke frequently, and fondly of his siblings and mourned the passing of two of the sisters that he lost before their time.

He enjoyed spending time in the garage tinkering on projects. He loved watching Old Western movies and was a “Trekkie” through and through. Most of all, he loved his wife. The two of them were thick as thieves and you seldom saw one without the other. They whiled away most days, enjoying their retirement together, relaxing in their home, making meals together, and playing cribbage.

Jeff was called home to “Meet his Maker” and received his wings on the morning of September 29 ^th at his home in Benson, Mn. He is survived by his Wife Susan, Children Steven, Tina (Jody) Pillatzki, and Becky (Shane) Korsmo; Grandchildren Damian, Derrick, Dylan, Hilary, Ryan, Andrew, Dakota, Angel, Taya, Ashley, Ryan, Katherine, Tanner, Jayden, Janessa, Josef, Keagen, and Zathias, Great-Grandchildren; Kently, Everly, and Karsyn, Siblings; Debra and Steven, nieces and nephews, in-laws, and several other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Kathy and Julie, Brother-in-law; Alex, and a Great-Nephew.

May he rest cozy on that big, fluffy couch in the sky…