Thief River Falls – Benjamin Vaughn Rodelius, 27, of Thief River Falls, passed away unexpectedly and went to be with Jesus on Friday, May 1, 2026.
Benjamin was born on November 9, 1998, in Buffalo, MN, to Dan and Kathy (Mueller) Rodelius. Benjamin attended school in Buffalo, graduating from Buffalo High School in 2017. He was a member of the trap shooting team. Following high school, he attended NDSU in Fargo, ND where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Crop and Weed Science.
While at NDSU, Benjamin met the love of his life, Abbey Linstad. They dated for five years and were married on December 6, 2025, at the Evangelical Free Church in Thief River Falls. In April 2026, the couple purchased their home in rural Thief River Falls. Abbey was the joy of his life.
Following college graduation, Benjamin went on to work for the Imle family at Pine Lake Wild Rice, a farm in Gonvick. Because Benjamin loved the outdoors, working at the farm was a perfect match; he was able to use his education, gifts, and talents there. It was his dream job.
Benjamin loved spending time with family and friends, golfing, pheasant hunting, shooting, ice fishing, taking long drives, and enjoying ice cream and circus peanuts. Benjamin had an uncanny mechanical aptitude. He could look at things and understand how they worked and how to repair them if needed. He also enjoyed cheering on the Minnesota Wild, Timberwolves, and Vikings, oftentimes on a conference call with family or friends during games.
Upon meeting Benjamin, you knew you had just met one of the most genuine, unassuming human beings. What you saw is what you got. Benjamin was loyal, humble, kind, funny, thoughtful, and intentional. Benjamin cared deeply for his friends and family.
Benjamin trusted Jesus as his Lord and Savior early in his life, and his relationship with Jesus grew stronger as he matured.
There is so much more that could be said about Benjamin. May we lean on each other, remembering him through the stories and moments we share.
Benjamin is survived by his beloved wife, Abbey of Thief River Falls; parents, Dan and Kathy Rodelius of Maple Lake; grandmothers, Doris Rodelius of Willmar, and Camilla Mueller of Albertville; father and mother-in-law, Bernie and Michelle Linstad of Michigan, ND; brother-in-law, Ryan Linstad (Elyse Gregoire) of Michigan, ND; Abbey’s grandparents, Merlin and Ann Linstad of Park River, ND and Donald and Vicki Staniszewski of Michigan, ND; lifelong friends, Sean Spike, Zach Berg and Noah Evans; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
He is preceded in death by infant brother, Andrew Daniel Rodelius; sister, Emma Leigh Rodelius; grandfathers, Vaughn Rodelius and Kenneth Mueller; uncles, Marty Rodelius and Tim Mueller; and aunt, Anne Wheeler.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Minnesota Youth Shotgun Association (https://www.minnesotashotgun.org) or ASON International (https://ason.org).
A gathering time for family and friends will be held from 5–7 p.m., with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service, on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Evangelical Free Church in Thief River Falls.
Visitation will begin at noon with the service to celebrate Benjamin’s life at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026, at the Evangelical Free Church in Thief River Falls. Attire for services on Thursday and Friday; we welcome clothing that reflects Ben and the way he showed up in the world. He loved his golf attire, Carhartt, khakis, and quarter-zips. Something clean, simple, and casual feels right.
Condolences may be left for the family on the Johnson Funeral Service website (www.johnsonfuneralservice.com).
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Benjamin Rodelius, 27
