On the afternoon of August 17, 2019, Benedict (Ben) Michael Gaetz, II laid down his earthly burdens and found eternal peace. His wife, Shelley, and sister, Jeanette, were by his side.

Ben was born on June 18, 1965 in Forest Lake, MN and was welcomed into the world by his parents, John (Jack) Gaetz and Mary Jane (Jane) Gaetz (Rothstein) along with his two sisters, Jackie and Joyce. At the age of two, Ben was there to bring home his new brother and life-long friend, David. Two years later a new sister, Jeanette, completed the family.

The Gaetz family moved to Amery, Wisconsin when Ben was four. He attended school in Amery and later settled his own family there.

Initially, Ben followed in his father's and grandfather's footsteps and worked in the construction industry as a carpenter. Not only could he construct buildings, but he honed his skills and made beautiful furniture as well. Ben also spent a period of time on the road as an over-the-road truck driver, giving him an opportunity to see much of the United States. He later trained as an EMT and worked for the Amery Area Ambulance Service. Most recently, Ben was medically disabled from an old back injury.

In 1989, Ben married Denise Carlson and gained a son, Scott Green, at the same time. During the course of their marriage, three daughters were born, Lisa, Katherine, and Morgan.

In 2002, Ben married Shelley Rutcosky who brought two children to the family, Ryan and Chandra.

Ben joins his father, John Gaetz, brother, David Gaetz, and paternal and maternal grandparents in heaven. Left to mourn are his wife Shelley Gaetz, sons Scott Green and Ryan Stinnett, daughters Lisa Gaetz, Katherine (Cash) Standardt, Morgan Gaetz, and Chandra Rutcosky, 10 grandchildren, mother Mary Jane Gaetz, mother-in-law Sonja Rutcosky, sisters Jackie (Raymond) Mork, Joyce (Mark) Biller, Jeanette (Steve) Helling, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at North Park in Amery, Wisconsin