About Ben

A letter written by Patti Derge in 2007.

Ben was born on 7-9-93. He had no siblings and quickly became an absolute joy to his parents, Patti and Scott. He was baptized as a child of God on 8-1-93. Ben's faith in God grew as wide as his smile and as big as his heart. He was a very loving and thoughtful child. From an early age, Ben enjoyed talking to everybody. There was not a shy bone in his body. He genuinely cared about people and showed that care with his actions. Ben attended St. Lucas Lutheran School and was in 7th grade at the time of his death. Ben enjoyed many different things and lived life to the fullest. Some of the things he loved best were: laughing, singing, sports, school, eating, playing with friends, going on trips, talking about God, and spending time with his family. Ben was also an avid Packers, Badgers, Brewers, and Bucks fan. He played T -ball, rubber ball, and hardball in the Kewaskum Athletic Association. But Ben's greatest sport's passion was football. He played Kewaskum Grid Iron Football for 3 seasons. He loved the game and the camaraderie that went with it. Ben respected his coaches and fellow players. As one of his coaches put it, "Ben was a fine, young man. It is not everyday that you meet someone of Ben's personality and character. I will miss him when I watch his teammates play. I will always remember Ben as not being the fastest or the meanest or the toughest player, but just as the guy who kept on trying to get better and being an inspiration to his teammates. He always did more than was asked and never complained when things got tough. He was an example of good sportsmanship wherever he went." Ben also liked to volunteer his time for different activities. He loved being a helper at Vacation Bible School, he was a special friend to residents at the Samaritan, he would mop the gym floor during basketball games at St. Lucas, and for the last 2 years he was a volunteer for the movie at Kiwanis Park. He was the guy dressed up like a lion for Madagascar. Ben was proud to live in Kewaskum and be a part of a wonderful community. On 11-22-06, Ben was returning from deer hunting when a vein ruptured in his brain. One minute he had been talking and laughing with his father and the next minute his brain was hemorrhaging, causing him intense pain. Within minutes Ben was unconscious and was rushed to the Marinette hospital. He was then transferred to Green Bay where he was diagnosed with A VM (arteriole venous malformation). Ben also went into full cardiac arrest twice but was brought back both times. Ben was pronounced brain dead and the doctors said he would die within minutes. Ever the trooper, Ben courageously hung on for another hour till his mother could be at his side. With both parents hugging him, Ben went to the arms of Jesus at 4:05 PM. Ben donated his heart valves, eyes, his bones and the surrounding tissue. His donation will help as many as 60 people. His eyes have given sight to 2 people already. Ben had big plans for his life, including college. His parents have decided to honor his memory by creating a scholarship in his name. This scholarship will go to select graduating seniors who played Grid Iron football in Kewaskum. In his short 13 years, Ben touched many lives. He will be remembered for his exuberance, kindness, and laughter. He had a remarkable ability for finding the goodness in people and wanted everyone to like him. If you knew Ben in this life, consider yourself blessed. Now he sings with angels.

Oh how we miss him.