Obit: Cusick, Benjamin Vance (1939 - 2022)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Cusick, Jackson, Kim, Comstock, Larson, Hale, Tale, Chandler, Stanga, Gasch, Crutchley, Laufenberg

----Source: Crematory of Wisconsin (Altoona, Eau Claire Co., WI) 6/21/2022

Cusick, Benjamin Vance (4 April 1939 – 6 June 2022) With Flag

Benjamin Vance Cusick, 83, of rural Humbird passed away peacefully on Monday morning, June 6, 2022, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire.

Ben was born April 4, 1939, the youngest of four children born to Perry and Grace (Jackson) Cusick. He was born in Fairchild and sadly four years later his father unexpectedly passed away. In search of employment, he and his mother lived in various areas throughout the United States. At the age of 21 he enlisted in the United States Army. While serving in South Korea, he met his soul mate, Jai Kim who he later married on April 4, 1962. Following his honorable discharge the couple returned to his home town of Humbird in August of 1963.

After returning to Humbird he was employed at Gordy Gearing’s Gas Station, before taking a job with Presto Industries in Eau Claire. In Black River Falls he also worked at Norplex and at the Iron Mine. He drove semi-truck for several years before taking his final job working as a welder for American Asphalt. Ben had also worked seasonally for the D.N.R. sitting in towers as a fire lookout and sorting berries for Comstock Strawberries.

After his retirement Ben’s wife Jai suffered a debilitating stroke and he was able at that time to be her caretaker. Jai passed away on July 19, 2007.

Ben was man who loved working in his gardens, watching the birds, was fond of guns and had a special way with dogs. He loved taking on a challenge, especially if it required mechanical knowledge, which seemed to be the case when he was working on older cars and trucks. He was welding metal lawn ornaments that he gave to others long before it became a popular form of art.

Most of all he loved his family, his friends and his comrades with the Humbird American Legion. A good day for Ben was a day he was able to visit with any of these individuals.

Since his involvement with the Humbird American Legion he had only missed this last Memorial Day Celebration due to his hospitalization at that time. He had also been a member of the Humbird Volunteer Fire Department for many years.

Ben will be dearly missed by his daughters, Corinne (Kevin) Comstock of Alma Center, Corleen (Brady) Larson of Humbird; 11 grandchildren, Jay (Bethany) Hale, Travis (Sarah) Tale, Curtis (Lariana) Cusick, Waylon Chandler, Harry Comstock (Kelsey Stanga), Kaden Larson, Toni (Shane) Gasch, Wendy Crutchley, Nicole Laufenberg, Brady Larson Jr. and Andrew Larson; 17 great grandchildren; and many friends.

In addition to his wife Jai, Ben was also preceded in death by his parents; son Chuck Cusick in 2014; grandchildren, Willie Nelson and Eva Hale; siblings, Geraldine Nolin, Richard and John Cusick.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, June 25, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. in the Mentor Cemetery in Humbird. Military honors will be conducted by the Humbird American Legion Post.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at the Humbird Town Hall.

Online condolences can be left at www.andersonfhaugusta.com