Bennie Kalina, age 92 of rural Alexandria, died Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at the Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 19 ^th at St. John Nepomuk (Lake Reno) Catholic Church in rural Lowry.  Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 18 ^th at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.  Interment will be in the Bohemian Independent Cemetery in rural Lowry.  Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.

Bennie Raymond Kalina, the son of Frank J. and Mary (Svonder) Kalina was born at home on November 9, 1922 in Lake Mary Township, Douglas County, Minnesota.  He grew up on the farm in Lake Mary Township and attended St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church and District #19 country school.

On October 11, 1949, Bennie was united in marriage to Marjorie Trousil at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church.  This marriage was blessed with three sons: Duane, Alan and Galen.  After their marriage, Bennie and Marjorie made their home on Bennie's home farm and continued to live there until 1993 when they moved to a neighboring farm.  Bennie farmed his entire life, he loved to work the land and take care of the animals.  When Bennie was 14 years old he began playing the drums.  He played the drums for seven different orchestras over the next 32 years.  In 1996, Bennie and Marjorie traveled to the Czech Republic for a couple weeks with Bennie's cousin.  They enjoyed sightseeing and visiting and staying with relatives that still lived there.  Bennie and Marjorie just shared their 66 ^th wedding anniversary.

Bennie was a member of the ZCBJ lodge in Alexandria.  In his younger years, he served as supervisor for the Lake Mary Township and was on the school board for District #456.  He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Bennie is survived by his wife, Marjorie Kalina of rural Alexandria; sons: Duane (Lorie) of rural Alexandria and Galen of Belgrade, Montana; daughter-in-law, Van Kalina of Garfield, MN; grandsons: Bryan, Scott and Jesse Kalina; and great-granddaughter, Allana Kalina; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Bennie is preceded in death by his parents; son, Alan; grandsons, Aaron and Benjamin; brothers: Wencil, Frank and Robert; and sisters, Henrietta McCrory and Elsie Johnson.