Benji Allan Pajari was born Dec. 23, 1981, to Tracy Pajari and Barry Nelson. He passed away unexpectedly at the age of 40 on Jan. 30, 2022. Benji graduated from Cloquet High School, Class of 2000. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and spending time with family and friends. Benji attended school and became an apprentice ironworker, and worked his way up to become a member of Ironworkers Local Union 512.

Benji was preceded in death by his grandma Phyllis Pajari (Bernie Grindle); grandparents Eva and Edwin Nelson; and sister Annie Nelson. He is survived by his mother, Tracy Pajari of Duluth; father, Barry Nelson of Omaha, Nebraska; special friend of 16 years, Candee Duncan and her son Gavin John; his siblings Brandon of Duluth, Danielle Bergh of Duluth, Amanda of Apple Valley, and Jill Nelson of Colorado; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Celebration of Life: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, June 11 at Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet.