Donald F. VanderWeyst, August 18, 1936 • February 21, 2023

Donald F. VanderWeyst passed away peacefully Tuesday, February 21, 2023.

Visitation will be held Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the Zniewski Funeral Home in Benson, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. at St. Malachy Cemetery, Clontarf, Minnesota, with lunch at the Clontarf Hall following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: St. Malachy Cemetery Association - Chapel, P.O. Box 273, Clontarf, Minnesota 56226.

Don was born at home on the farm, August 18, 1936, to Frank and Clara (Anderson) VanderWeyst.  He was fifth of 11 children. He graduated from Benson High School in 1954 and farmed his entire life.

July 4, 1983, he married Lois (Matthews) Benoit and became a husband, dad, and grandpa. Don and Lois enjoyed many fishing trips to Canada and spent as much time as possible at their cabin on Phelps Lake in Ontario.  Every fall you could find him in his deer stand.  For many winters, they enjoyed the warm and sunny weather in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Lois; siblings: brothers Jerome (Sue) VanderWeyst and Thomas (Layna) VanderWeyst; sisters Bevain (William) Henry, Elizabeth (George) Trudell, Constance Morrissey, Frances (Dean) Wechsler and Linda (Rodney) Ellingson; sister-in-law Sharon VanderWeyst; stepchildren: Michael (Shari) Benoit, and Douglas Benoit; step grandchildren and summer farm hands: Dustin (Heather) Benoit, Michaela (Jason) Kunkel, and Cassandra Benoit;  five great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.  Don was preceded in death by his parents; brother George; sisters: Phyllis Fenstra and Cecelia Klang; stepchildren: Susan Benoit and Kurt Benoit.