Michael P. "Mike" Benusa

A gathering to celebrate the life of Michael "Mike" Benusa, 67, who passed away on September 3, after a 30 year battle with cancer, will be on Thursday, September 8, 2022 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at:The Regency - 912 West St. Germain Street, Suite 912, Saint Cloud MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, September 9, at 12:30 PM at St. Paul's Catholic Church, Rev. Timothy Baltes as officiant. Visitation available an hour before the mass at the church. Reception after service in the cafeteria. A private burial will be at Scandia Valley Cemetery in Cushing. Mike was born on September 5, 1954 to Gerald and Janice (Kobilka) Benusa in Bitburg, West Germany. He married Elaine Meyer on June 3, 1978 at St. Paul's Church in Sauk Centre.
He began his working career in Anchorage AK (8 yrs), transferred by Price Waterhouse to Portland OR (5 yrs). Mike was sent to Hong Kong by Nike where he served as the Director of Finance for the Asia Pacific Region (6 yrs) and then onto Africa, based out of Melbourne Australia (3 yrs). In 2001 the family moved to St. Cloud where he co-founded an accounting firm until it merged with LB Carlson, Minneapolis, from which he retired December 2021.
Michael was on the Board of Directors for both the St Cloud Hospital and CentraCare, the last three years as board chair, 17 years in total. It was in this capacity where he could exercise his preeminent skill of business management. He developed a deep appreciation for healthcare workers and of the difficulties of dealing with a fickle human body. Over the years those experiences leaked into a number of "isms".. especially "doctors ARE "practicing". His being a case in point.
Michael also served on the Board of Directors for Quiet Oaks. And was involved with the YMCA as they built their new facility.
In his ("paid") work he was diligent and conscientious. He fired clients whose practices were not up to his high ethical standards. Mainly he threw himself into their issues and provided great counseling, advice, and support. Several became great friends.
Mike enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking, playing cards, woodworking and took great pride in keeping up maintenance at their lake home and having a beautiful lawn. He will be greatly missed by his wife and sons.
Mike is survived by his wife of 44 years, Elaine; sons, Philip (Ashley) of Hong Kong and Jeffrey of Nashville, TN; grandson Julian, parents, Jerry and Jan Benusa of Cushing and siblings, Tim (Lisa) Benusa of Powhaton, VA, Cindy (Joel) Racchini of Edina, Jeff (Paula) Benusa of Aitkin and Dave (Kelly) Benusa of St. Michael.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Williams Dingmann Funeral Home in St. Cloud.
In lieu of flowers and memorials, donations are preferred to the Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict or a charitable organization that assists persons in need.