Benedict Aloysius Olk, Jr.

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Olk, Benedict Aloysius Jr 87, of Eden Prairie. Born August 22, 1934 in Chicago IL to Benedict A. and Lucille Olk. Died June 16, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Rita Burns Olk; children Mary Olk (Michael Miller), Benedict A. Olk III (Kris Berggren), Matt Olk (Rana Olk), Dan Olk (Megan Hayes), Steve Olk (Cindy Olk), John Olk (Stacey Olk), and grandchildren Colin, Benny, Kari, Betsey, Rena, Luci, James, Mackenzie, Stevie, Bridgid, Johnny, Sonia, Dawson, and Nichola; sister Peggy Diakow; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Mary Lou Stotz and Carol Barrett, and infant grandson Leo. The celebration of Ben's life is scheduled on Friday, June 24 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community, Minneapolis, with visitation at 9:00 a.m. and Mass at 10:30 a.m. The service also will be live streamed. [Link below.] Luncheon to follow at the church. Ben was the chairman of the board and former president of NCCO, a 117-year old Saint Paul business that produces products and services for the food service industry including the iconic green guest check. In his early career with the company in Chicago he was an old-school salesman with a territory he traveled weekly. He eventually moved his family to Minnesota in order to take on the role of national sales director and helped to grow the business significantly. Ben's characteristic warmth and joie de vivre served him well professionally but also made him the kind of man everyone wanted to be around. He had an inner confidence, a ready smile and a funny story for every occasion. Although Ben attended high school and two years of college at the Redemptorist minor seminary in Kirkwood, MO, he knew the priesthood wasn't his calling. He returned to Chicago and finished college, graduating from Loyola University in 1958. He married Rita Burns on April 4, 1959. He served in the United States Army Reserve and during the Berlin Crisis relocated his growing young family to Groton, MA, for a year of active duty. Known as Pop to his grandchildren, he wrote them letters after attending their numerous plays, concerts, dance, school and sporting events, which always made them feel they were his favorite. His daughters-inlaw and son-in-law adored him. He loved vodka martinis; air shows; dining out; skiing in Steamboat Springs, CO; a day at the races or the craps table; travels with Rita, especially their annual winter stay on Maui; and oh, yes, the game of golf. He was a member of Olympic Hills Golf Club in Eden Prairie for more than 45 years. He volunteered over the years with St. Stephen's Shelter and Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to St. Joan of Arc Outreach Fund (donate button on parish home page: saintjoanofarc.org ) or a charity of your choice that makes you think of Ben. Link to streaming service: youtu.be/…

Published on June 19, 2022