Philip Blaine Manska

Philip Blaine Manska, 79, of Benson, died on Saturday morning July 24, 2021, at Homestead Place North in Benson. Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Sunday, August 1, at the St, Mark’s Lutheran Church in Benson. Visitation will continue on Monday, August 2, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm followed by the funeral service at 1:00 pm at St. Mark’s. Interment will be in the Benson City Cemetery. Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Philip, Blaine Manska was born on March 18, 1942 in Benson, Minnesota, the son of Clifford and Minnetta Mae (Tiffany) Manska. He grew up in Benson, Clontarf, and Hinckley, Minnesota. He was baptized on August 19, 1956 by Rev. O. P. Kuehl at the home of Robert Staton. He was confirmed on June 3, 1956 by the Rev. O. P. Kuehl at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kroschel, Minnesota. He attended kindergarten through fourth grade in Clontarf and grades 5 through 7 in country school near Hinckley, grades 8 through 10 at Hinckley High school, then grades 11 through 12 at Benson High School.

On November 16, 1963 Philip was united in marriage to Janis Mitling by the Rev Gerald Lygne at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Montevideo. This union was blessed with over 51 years of marriage, three children, and seven grandchildren. He worked at the Blue Grass Farms in Benson, Minnesota, then as a mechanic in a garage in Monticello, Minnesota. He then moved to Colorado and worked High Line construction at Wagon Wheel Gap, then he returned to Benson where he worked for Jack Kennedy, then as a mechanic at Community Chevrolet, Lund Motors and Quinn’s. His final job was at the Swift County Highway Department where he started as a mechanic and later became a truck driver until retirement. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking, and working on cars.  He loved spending time with his family. He was called from this life on Saturday morning, July 24, at Homestead Place North in Benson. He attained the age of 79 years, 4 months, and 6 days.

He is survived by his; children: Tamera Koosmann, Sheila (Rob) McGee, and Linette (Brent) Berens, all of Benson; grandchildren: Bobi Rose McGee, Philip (Brianna) McGee, Bradley Berens, Mitchell Koosmann, Benjamin McGee, Jay Even McGee, and Adam Koosmann; his siblings Bob (Karen) Manska of Billings, Montana Chuck Manska of Chester, Montana, and Mary Schliemann of Pennock, sister in law Judy Manska of Pillager, Carol Bushmann of Montevideo, and Natsy Roudebush of Savage; and several other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife Janis on December 14, 2014, his father Clifford Manska, his mother Mae Staton, Step dad Andy Staton, mother and father in law Bennie and Nettie Mitling, siblings Les Manska, Darlene Kolski, Judy Henriksen, and other brother and sister in laws. Blessed be his memory.