Benjamin "Ben" Neuharth, age 71, of Brookings, passed away Monday, May 5, 2014, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. Visitations will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Eidsness Funeral Home. Ben was born September 28, 1942, to Christ and Katherine (Fisher) Neuharth in Eureka, South Dakota. He was the youngest of six children. He was baptized and confirmed in the Reformed Church. He attended rural schools and Eureka High School. After high school he attended Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, where he met Karen Nord. They were married May 18, 1963, in Milbank, and in 2013 they celebrated fifty years of marriage. Ben was in the bakery business and retailing since 1967, and he served two terms as the president of the South Dakota Bakers Association. He retired in 2007, but due to his strong work thic and running of things to do around the home he returned to work part-time. He retired in 2013 when Karen presented her honey-do list which included an addition to their homea three season porch, a shed for his toys, a new deck for barbequing, and a trip to Alaska in the fall of 2013 to celebrate fifty years of marriage. Ben was an active member in community organizations, city government, and as an advocate in youth activities. Survivors include his wife, Karen Neuharth of Brookings; three daughters: Lori (Mario) Valdez of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Janelle Hein of Brookings, and Mary Robinson (Tami Plaggemeyer) of Brookings; a son, Tom Neuharth, of Brookings; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, brothers, and son Jon. Ben quoted to his family many times "if you ever want to know anything about life, just go to coffee with the guys!!!"