December 25, 2026
Obituaries

Benjamin Knuesel, Winner of 3 Lottery Tickets, Dies at 36

By Dave Murtas, Star Tribune

Ben Knuesel lived the luck of the Irish for a large part of his life, but when his plane crashed 120 miles south of the North Pole, his luck ran out. His philanthropic activities, his adventurous personality, and his knack for winning the lottery three separate times for a total $1.2 billion, will have him remembered by all.

His family and friends said he was always lucky, but knew that at some point it would run out. His mother, Betty Knuesel, said, “ He always had the luck of the Irish in him, even though we weren’t Irish.” Betty went on to say,” I am so proud of my Benjamin for all of the generous donations to countless charities, and of course, for my new mansion.”

Benjamin was on his way to prove that Santa existed, no matter how unreal the quest was. That’s the way Benjamin was, he wouldn’t take no for an answer, and with all that money; he had some pretty amazing adventures said his father, Jerry Knuesel.

He was born March 13, 1990, in Winona Minn. As a boy, he excelled in sports and was a varsity athlete in everything he tried. Other accomplishments include achieving the highest rank of scouting that of eagle scout. In the classroom, he was nothing short of excellent and went onto college to Marquette University.
Once dominating the Marquette scene, Benjamin decided to take his gifts
and talents to Bemidji State University. It was here that two days before his 21st birthday, he won his first lottery check, for $350 million. “He was the happiest person you could ever meet”, stated Louise Mengelkoch, one of Benjamin’s favorite teachers in college.

One of Benjamin’s closest friends, Brody Papenfuss, toured with him all over the world in his, sometimes, crazy adventures. “ You know, he did things that other people would just laugh at, but when we went somewhere, we had a blast doing it,” said Brody. Brody went with him to try to break into the Great pyramids of Giza, to the great depths of Central America to look for the fountain of youth, and even under the Atlantic Ocean to try to find Atlantis, but he took ill right before the Saint Nicholas expedition where Benjamin’s plane crashed.

Benjamin’s brothers were often times jealous of just how lucky their brother was, but were always happy to go on trips with him and share stories. Benjamin had four brothers, Kurt, Steven, Robert, and Michael who all worked very hard and are all very successful. They were fine with all of his adventures, until the Santa journey. They warned him, but Benjamin simply said, “Luck is on my side.”

Benjamin’s service was held at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona Minn. and Bishop Bernard Harrington, a longtime friend of Benjamin’s, came to officiate the service. Benjamin was an altar boy for Bishop Bernard for many years, and Bernard became a great spiritual guide for the rest of Benjamin’s life to come. All Bishop Bernard had to say was, “ God has a special V.I.P. room for this man.”

Benjamin was never married, but is survived by his Father, Jerry; his mother, Beiver; and his brothers, Kurt, Steven, Robert, and Michael. All reside in Winona. Brody is still alive as well, and plans on spreading half of Benjamin’s ashes at the North Pole to finish his journey, and half in Ireland as thanks for the all of the luck that he had. Benjamin will be missed by many.