Obituary: Ben Erlin Breitenfeldt

Ben Erlin Breitenfeldt was born Nov. 29, 1985. Ben went to his Heavenly home Aug. 24, 2022. Ben had medical complications over many months.

He was the beloved son of Paul and Laurie (Rigstad) Breitenfeldt of Mosinee, Wisconsin, and big brother to Heidi Breitenfeldt of West Allis, Wisconsin and Clara (Toney) Rogers of Milwaukee.

He met the love of his life, Elizabeth (Smoot) Breitenfeldt of West Allis in 2011. They were married at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin on Oct. 16, 2015. It is then his family grew with father- and mother-in-law Gilman and Cheryl Smoot of Minneapolis, and brother- and sister-in-law Justin and Phyllis Smoot of Rib Mountain, Wisconsin.

Ben was the super cool uncle to Malaki Breitenfeldt of West Allis and to Lillian and Genevieve Smoot of Rib Mountain. Ben will be greatly missed by his Grandma Marian Breitenfeldt of Appleton, Wisconsin, along with many loving uncles, aunts, and cousins. He will be greeted in Heaven by several beloved family members and students he gave his heart and life to through his education career.

His life began in Cloquet, until a move to Windom, Minnesota in June 2000. His family then moved to Mosinee, where he was very active in several activities including football, wrestling and band. He also loved working on computers with his friends.

Ben attended Concordia University – Mequon (2004) where he continued to play football on a championship team as a right offensive tackle. Along with playing football, he completed his Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and minors in computer science and math.

Following college, he went on to Cardinal Stritch University, earning a master’s of education in instructional technology. Ben used his knowledge and skills at the Urban Day School, Lincoln Intermediate School, West Milwaukee Intermediate School, St. Amelia’s Lakeside and, most recently, Norris Academy.

Ben was loved by so many people including his loving family and close friends who considered him family as well. He enjoyed living life with Elizabeth, and spending time with his dogs and cats Ruby, Chancellor, Bear and Braum. He was a huge sports enthusiast and enjoyed passing on those skills by coaching many kids, especially his nephew, Malaki.

Ben was so very proud of his first home with his wife and enjoyed creating it as a space where everyone was welcome. He loved to fill their backyard with smiles and laughter! If you were to ask his wife Elizabeth what she enjoyed the most with Ben, it would be, “Everything. We were happy just being together.”

Being a technologically minded skillful person, Ben extended his knowledge to whoever needed assistance. In his leisure time, he enjoyed his backyard with his wife and dogs. He loved gathering around a campfire, playing computer games, card games, and watching sports. Ben’s favorite teams included the Packers, Brewers, and Bucks. He also enjoyed fishing at Three Lakes and hunting in Tigerton and Underhill with his dad, Paul, father-in-law, Gilman, and best friends like Mike Fleischer, Uncle Miles and the Breitenfeldt family. Ben was an all-around great guy!

Ben was so very special. He cared for many. He would want others to continue to follow his legacy of caring for one another.

Many plans are in the making to honor Ben. In honor and memory of Ben Breitenfeldt, Elizabeth and family, you can donate to https://gofund.me/eba59b2c.

In celebration of Ben’s life, please contribute photos and stories of Ben. Please send them to [email protected].

Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9 at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 W. National Ave., New Berlin, Wisconsin. Visitation continues at 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Celebration of Life Saturday, Sept. 10 at St. Mathew’s Lutheran Church, 1615 N. Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Please check periodically for updates. Thank you for your many prayers and thoughts at this time.

To God be the glory!

Pine Knot News September 2, 2022