Leonard 'Beno' James Arasim

ROCHESTER, Minn. - Leonard "Beno" James Arasim, 91, passed away on June 15, 2015, at his residence in Rochester.

On May 15, 1924, Leonard was born in Ironwood, Mich., to the late William and Proxeda Arasim and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1942. He was drafted in World War II and served in the 672nd Amtrac Battalion, which received the Presidential Unit Citation for the Los Banos rescue mission in 1945.

He married Helen Mrofchak, also of Ironwood, on Aug. 30, 1952, and they went on to raise four children during their 25 years of marriage. Leonard earned a degree in forestry in 1955 from the Michigan College of Mining and Technology in Houghton, Mich. He worked as a forester for the U.S. Forest Service in Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin until the 1980s. Leonard lived in Park Falls, Wis., for 43 years, before relocating to Rochester in 2012.

Leonard spent countless hours reading, enjoying music, walking, biking, gardening and enjoying the outdoors. He was very spiritual and enjoyed Bible study. He cherished time spent with his friends and his grandsons, and enjoyed the simple things in life.

Leonard is survived by his daughter, Bonnie (Alex) Hanson of Rochester; sons, Daniel Arasim of Madison, Wis., and Paul Arasim of Rhinelander, Wis .; three grandsons, Nicklaus, Samuel and Benjamin of Rochester; and a brother, James Arasim, of Big Pine, Calif.

In addition to his parents, Leonard was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, in 1977; his daughter, Carol; and sisters, Mary Soltis and Delores Ludlow.

A private interment is pending. Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society. The family expresses their sincere appreciation to the staff at The Homestead at Rochester.

The Mountain Funeral Home of Ashland and Mellen, Wisconsin, has been entrusted with the details of Leonard's services.