Bennie F. Nowariak, 96, of Owatonna, died Monday, October 5, 2009 at Cedarview Care Center. Bennie was born July 9, 1913 in Duluth, Minnesota the son of John and Solonia (Drobeck) Nowariak. At the age of three, Bennie was placed in the Minnesota State Orphanage and there he attended school. He worked on area farms while at the orphanage. In 1941, Bennie entered the United States Army and served in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre during WWII. Following his honorable discharge in 1945, Bennie returned to Owatonna. He worked at Hotel Owatonna for many years. Bennie was united in marriage to Helen Jeanette Webb on July 1, 1950 in Congregational United Church of Christ Church in Medford. They made their home in Clinton Falls. In 1946, Bennie began working at Josten''s in Owatonna and retired in 1975 after 29 years. Jeanette died on 2007. Bennie recently entered the Cedarview Care Center in May of 2009. He had many hobbies, but he especially enjoyed playing cards and bingo. He was a very outgoing person and enjoyed visiting with his family and friends. He is survived by seven sons, Richard (and Sharon) Nowariak of Isanti; Leslie Nowariak of Owatonna; Stephen (and Christie) Nowariak of Owatonna; Dennis Nowariak of Maple Grove; David (and Cathy) Nowariak of Maple Grove; Byron (and Karen) Nowariak of Red Wing; John (and Paula) Nowariak of Eagan; two daughters, Ramona (and Tim) Blank of Byron; Mary (and James) Karl of Belle Plaine; 22 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Jeanette, his parents, and a brother, Walter. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Friday, October 9 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and one hour prior to the service in the church. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 10 at 10:00 AM at Congregational United Church of Christ, Medford with The Reverend Lou Bender officiating. Interment will be in the Union Cemetery, Medford. Military honors will be provided by the Steele County Military Funeral Unit. Memorials are preferred to the Owatonna VFW, Owatonna Legion or the Congregational United Church of Christ. Visitation: 10/09/2009 16:00 10/09/2009 19:00 Service: and one hour prior to the service in the church 10/10/2009 10:00