Martin "Ben" Imbertson

Martin Bennett "Ben" Imbertson, 90, of Fridley, passed away September 6, 2023. He was born on December 28, 1932 in Hibbing, MN and preceded in death by his parents Margaret Malvick Imbertson and John Bennett "Ben" Imbertson, and sister Marilyn (Bill) Satterness.

After high school, Ben pursued a degree in Electrical Engineering, a 5-year course. He earned his BEE at Hibbing Junior College and the University of Minnesota. He was hired by the Oliver Iron Mining Division in June 1956. His job there was primarily concerned with equipment maintenance.

Ben met a student nurse while roller skating in Duluth in June of 1954 and married her in September of 1956. Ardis and Ben were married for nearly 67 years before he passed. They have two daughters, Karen and Sandie who both got married in 1980, seven grandsons, one granddaughter, 9 great-grandsons, and seven great-granddaughters.

Ben and Ardis built their cabin on South Sturgeon in 1959 and enjoyed it for many decades.

In 1967 Ben left USS for a control engineering job at Electric Machinery Mfg Company in Minneapolis. A couple of highlights include: In November of 1965, he was in Schenectady, NY when the power went off over the whole NE seaboard area. He was a major player in restoring the power. EM built seven 7,000 hp motors for air conditioning the Twin Towers in New York and they also built the 15 kV class switchgear for them. EM also built many of the taconite plant mill motors and 4,000-volt controls for them. The April 1997 Red River flood took the power from Grand Forks, North Dakota. Ben was tasked with restoring the whole city. While at EM he became registered as a professional Engineer in Minnesota and Michigan.

Ben started playing guitar in 1953 and loved it. From 1966 to 1996 he sang with Ardis in a mixed group of about 12 and played guitar for the group. The "Fireside singers" sand at various places, but mostly at senior citizen centers.

Ben and Ardis sang in the choir at Redeemer Lutheran Church from 1962-2021. Ben also played guitar at the annual lutefisk dinner, participated in Redeemer's couples club, senior bible study groups, and taught Sunday school for many years.

In 1972 and 1979 he went to Norway with family and met several second cousins and their families. They were wonderful trips that began many visits from those newfound relationships.

EM's business suffered in the latter '70's and early 80's and the job Ben loved so well went away. An opening appeared at the Twin Cities Army ammunition plant and his experience served him well during those 13 years. Following that, he served as a PE consultant at Dymax in Mounds View into his 80's.

Ben's love of trains began while growing up in Hibbing watching and filming the steam engines that came through town. Of Particular interest were the Duluth, Missabe, and Iron Range Trains. He scratch built many of his HO rail cars and cabooses that ran around the interior walls of their basement and was a proud member of the DM&IR historical society. Friends, including childhood friend Dick Stoner, loved running trains at various malls and in each other's basements. His daughters spent many hours waiting near railroad crossings so that their dad could take pictures and videos of the different trains.

Ben was part of Gideons for over 40 years. He distributed bibles at schools, universities, military enlistment centers, hotels, and doctor's offices throughout the Twin Cities. He was willing to share his hope in Jesus to all.

Ben always had a ready hug for those who knew him. He was always glad to spend time with his family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers; as he was very social and people who knew him really loved and liked him. His love of laughter came through with Ole and Lena jokes that he was ready to share, watching and reading cartoons, or just enjoying the light side of life.

His love of the Lord showed up in so many things he did as he knew the importance of getting out the word by singing it, talking it, or giving out a free bible to strangers.

Ben is survived by wife, Ardis of nearly 67 years; daughters, Karen (Joe) Dellaria and Sandie (Ted) Lovrien; 8 grandchildren- Joel (Sarah) Dellaria, Eric (Jenna) Lovrien, Rob Lovrien, Becky (Matt) Merkey, John Lovrien, Josh (Steph) Dellaria, Ben (Molly) Dellaria, Carson Lovrien; and 16 great-grandchildren- Ruth, Tim, David, Nathan, Magdalena, Pieta, Cosmas, Solanus, Brooklyn, Addilyn, Zachary, and Callen Dellaria, Grace and Evan Lovrien, Micah and Isabella Merkey, and 5 nephews- Keith (Sheri), Gordy (Kris), and David (Lisa) Mesedahl, and Bill (Cindy) and Neil (Lori) Satterness.

Funeral service Monday, October 9th at 11:00 A.M.. Redeemer Lutheran Church, 61 Mississippi St. NE, Fridley, MN. 763-574-7445. Visitation one hour prior. Celebration of Life luncheon to follow at the church.