Henry "Hank" E. Behnke

Henry “Hank” E. Behnke, age 95, passed away on Sunday morning, August 10, 2025 at the Villa Grove of Felician Village, Manitowoc, WI.

Hank was born on November 13, 1929 in Manitowoc, son of the late Henry G. and Mabel (Pollack) Behnke. Henry was confirmed on May 28, 1944 while attending SJ-SJ Lutheran School. Hank was a graduate of Reedsville High School with the class of 1948. One of the most memorable moments of Hank’s high school days, was being a starting guard/forward on the 1946 State Basketball Championship Team. On October 21, 1951 he married the former Doris Mae Bubolz at St. John – St. James Lutheran Church in Reedsville. They were blessed to share 68 years of marriage. Doris Mae preceded him in death on December 30, 2019. Hank & Doris owned and operated their own dairy/beef farm until 1976 when they moved to Reedsville at 442 Birch Lane. He also worked for Midland and Land O Lakes as a Midland Ration Advisor and was promoted to Farm Sales Supervisor from 1970 until his retirement in 1991. Hank was an active member of St. John – St. James Lutheran Church in Reedsville and served as an usher and various church council positions, or any other duties/committees that sister-in-law Val Jean Link talked him into. He was a member at Wander Springs Golf Course, the Reedsville Alumni Assn and was on various bowling leagues over the years in Reedsville. In his spare time, he enjoyed golfing, woodworking, yardwork, traveling and watching his great grandchildren play sports.

Survivors include his son: Bruce (Vicki) Behnke, Suamico; his grandchildren: Tony Behnke (friend Annette), DePere, Adrianne Helberg, Reedsville, Alison (Ron) Prochnow, Reedsville; her great grandchildren: Peyton and Avery Helberg, Addy Schisel, Ben, Zach and JJ Prochnow; one brother-in-law: Ray (Suzanne) Bubolz, Reedsville. Hank also had many nieces and nephews from both the Behnke & Bubolz sides of the family He was preceded in death by his wife; one daughter: Brenda (Mike)Vanden Avond; one granddaughter: Heather Behnke; three brothers: Leroy (Betty) Behnke, Lem (LaVerne) Behnke, Orval (Ruth) Behnke; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Donald (Joanne) Bubolz, Val Jean (Peter) Link; and their special AFS/second son: Kifle Jemberu.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 15, 2025 at St. John – St. James Lutheran Church, Reedsville. Officiating at the service will be Rev. Darin Aden. Entombment will take place at Knollwood Mausoleum, Town of Kossuth, at a later date.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Friday, at church, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.pielhop.com.

PLEASE: In lieu of flowers or plants, a memorial has been established in Hank’s name.

The Pielhop Funeral Homes of Reedsville & Brillion are assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to all the staff and nurses of the Felician Village and Sharon S. Richardson Hospice for all the care and compassion shown to Hank and his family.