James D Benko
October 1, 1950 – April 2, 2026
James Dale Benko (Buff), 75 of Cloquet, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at Aspirus St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, MN. He was born on October 1, 1950 to Lewis and Rose Marie (Crotteau) Benko in Cloquet. Jim married Kathryn Marie Tobolaski on February 21, 1970.
Jim had many hobbies throughout his life. He looked forward to deer hunting every year in Sturgeon Lake. He loved hunting with his dogs, fishing, old cars, riding Harleys, watching NASCAR, and collecting die cast. Jim worked for Potlatch/Sappi Paper for 43 years.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Kathy, his parents Lewis and Rose Benko, his in-laws Chester and Joanne Tobolaski, his brother Harvey Benko, brothers in-law Phil Tobolaski and Chad Tobolaski, sister in-law Lori Geving, and his best dogs Sandy, Buddy, and Deuce. He leaves behind his daughter Sheila (Dane) LaRue, son James Benko, grandson Brett Port and granddaughter Emma Port, sisters Doreen (Tamara) Ritt, Mary Benko, sisters in-law Marinelda Benko, Beverly Nelson, Sharon Farrow, Barbara Motschenbacher, Lisa Neufeld, Jodi (Kelly) Larson and brothers in-law Steve (Patti) Tobolaski, Chester Tobolaski, Blaine (Sue) Tobolaski, David (Chandra) Tobolaski, and several nieces and nephews.
