Benedict "Ben" Gonsioroski

Celebration of Life for Benedict "Ben" Gonsioroski, 60, of Lexington, KY, formerly of Baker, MT, will take place at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, January 23, 2025 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker. Private Graveside will have taken place.

Ben passed away January 12, 2025 at his home in KY. 

Benedict Lawrence Gonsioroski, 60, of Lexington, KY, formally of Baker, MT, passed away suddenly on January 12, 2025. Ben was born February 25, 1964 in Baker, Montana to Jerry and Jean Gonsioroski. Ben joined two siblings with four more to follow. They were a very close-knit family growing up with many trips back and forth to Alaska. The final count is 15 trips over 2,724 miles one way, 1500 being gravel; that is a lot of family time. Throughout the years there have been many evenings spent with all the siblings sharing story after story of family adventures on those trips along with numerous other stories of the many places they lived while growing up. One of the common themes surrounding these stories is always of Ben’s free and adventuresome spirit. Many times his mother sent him off to the bus stop only for him to skip school and explore the woods, or get let out at recess and not come back to school. From a very young age Ben had a love for nature and the outdoors. He always said he was born 100 years too late. He worked on numerous ranches as a young adult, embracing the simplicity of that lifestyle. 

 Ben spent countless hours outdoors mastering his craft as a woodsman. It was always said “If ever you get lost in the wilderness you would hope it would be with Ben because you’ll survive”. He was an avid hunter which led him to master archery as a craft, to the extent of making his own longbow and arrows. Throughout his hunting adventures his love for Western Montana was developed where he trekked countless miles up and down the mountains. Ben was a hunting guide for several years and was always the favorite and preferred guide in the camp. 

 One of Ben’s other loves in life was music. This started at a very young age as he would sit on the knee of his Grandad Gonsioroski, who was also an accomplished musician and passed on his love of music to Ben. Ben grew up playing the banjo and harmonica with his grandad and brother Greg, who would eventually teach him to play the guitar. This led to Ben writing his first song at the age of 21 while driving back from Alaska. Ben would eventually write over 150 original songs over the next 35 years of his life. His first public appearance was in Miles City where his mom had signed him up to compete in the Country Music Showdown. He came home with the first of many first place trophies, as he won several competitions. This country music journey would take Ben to compete on stage in Nashville and perform at numerous venues from Yuma, AZ, to Colorado to the Dakotas, and Montana. Ben prided himself on keeping the old country music sound alive. People commented on Ben’s ability to perform music by Jim Reeves, Marty Robbins, Don Williams, and Johnny Horton as these were his inspirations. 

 Ben had a raw and passionate love for Jesus. He embraced a “warrior type” mentality in his walk with Christ and always pursued truth. Admitting he was far from perfect, he pursued a life of living for Jesus and he strove to follow Him with his entire being. He was zealous for a real and pure walk with Christ and for sharing that walk with others. 

 Ben married Robyn on November 22, 2017. Not only was he her husband he was her best friend. They shared their love for Jesus together along with many adventures. Ben drove truck for Eckart Trucking in the summer which led them to live in many places, and spent the winters in Kentucky. Marrying Robyn allowed Ben to become a step-dad to Robyn Jane and to share seven other children and grandchildren. 

 Ben left this earth where he entered the embrace of his Heavenly Father. Those who knew Ben knew of his longing to meet his Savior and to be reunited with his Brother Greg. 

 Ben is survived by his wife Robyn and step-daughter Robyn Jane of Lexington, KY, parents Jerry and Jean Gonsioroski of Baker, MT, brothers, Josh (Launa) Gonsioroski, Presque Isle, Maine, Charles (Katina) Gonsioroski, Baker, MT, sisters, Kathy (Mark) Loveland, Sundance, WY, Cyndi (Jason) Mayes, Fruitdale, SD, Debbie (Darren) Dunham, Maxbass, ND and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Greg and nephew Luke