Eugene Behnke

Eugene F. Behnke, age 88, of Reedsville, passed away on Friday, May 5, 2023.

Eugene was born on January 28, 1935, son of the late Henry and Myrtle (Wegner) Behnke.  He was a graduate of Valders High School, class of 1952.  Eugene served our country in the United States Navy from 1954 – 1958.  On May 21, 1960, he married Nancy Mattes at St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church in Collins.  She preceded him in death on April 9, 2019.  Eugene was employed with Anheuser Busch for over 30 years, and he also owned and operated a dairy farm.  After retirement, he worked for Henning’s Cheese.  Although he could be stubborn and opinionated, he was also a very hard worker who was passionate about his interests.  He loved hunting, fishing, and sturgeon spearing, and enjoyed telling stories about the past.  He loved to socialize with people and you could often hear his voice over the crowd while he was telling one of his many jokes.  He was a founding member of the Rockea Hunting Club, and a life-long member of St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church in Collins.  No matter what happened in his life, he always remained steadfast in his faith.

Eugene is survived by his children and spouses:  Julie (Michael) Webster, Brenda (Kelly) Ott, Bruce (Jenene) Behnke, all of Reedsville, Dean Behnke of Manitowoc, and Scott Behnke (special friend Marguerite Weeden) of New Holstein; grandchildren: Gerald, Kelli, Brenton, and Josette Ott, Hunter (Ashlyn) Behnke, and Casey (fiancée Skylar Smogoleski) Behnke, and Conor Behnke; great-granddaughter: Ellie Behnke; sisters and brother-in-law: Marlene Cardinahl and Beverly (Howard) Riemer, all of New Holstein; one brother and sisters-in-law: Dennis (Joyce) Behnke of Chilton and Judy Mattes of Hilbert; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Nancy; his father-in-law and mother-in-law: John, Sr. and Ida (Valleskey) Mattes; one brother and sister-in-law: Rodney Behnke and Mary Ann Behnke-Runice; one brother-in-law: John Jr. “Jack” Mattes, and other relatives.

Funeral Service will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church in Collins.  Officiating will be Rev. Robert Weiss.  Military Rites will be accorded by the AmVets Post 1032 of Reedsville.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Friends may call at the church on Wednesday afternoon from 2:00 p.m. until 4:45 p.m.

Online condolences may be made www.pielhopwieting.com

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church in Collins.