Caledonia Argus

Posted: 4/9/02

Henry William Beneke

Henry W. Beneke, 89, of Waukon, formerly of New Albin and La Crosse, died Saturday, April 6, 2002, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon following a lengthy illness.

Henry William Beneke was born on May 3, 1912 in the Sleepy Hollow area of rural New Albin, IA. His parents were Henry and Caroline (Koenig) Beneke. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Johnís Wheatland UCC and attended the rural Wheatland School. For several years he worked for various area farmers before returning to operate the home farm where he also sold Dairyland Seed. On August 17, 1946 he married Tillie Schallock at the Wesleyn Methodist Church in La Crosse. They continued to farm until 1972 when they moved to New Albin and operated ìMa & Pa Benekeís Cafeî for five years. In 1976 they moved to La Crosse where Henry worked as a security guard for Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. Since 1995 they have lived in Waukon.

He was an active member of St. Johnís Wheatland UCC when living near New Albin and Trinity UCC when living in La Crosse. He also volunteered as a patient assistant at Lutheran Hospital and Gundersen Clinic in La Crosse and was a member of Farm Bureau. Henry was very handy around the house and farm, both with building and fixing things. He liked to garden and loved to visit with and help people whenever he could.

Survivors include his wife Tillie, of Waukon; a daughter, Karen (Jeff) Lampert, Brownsville; three sons, Loren (Lois), Waukon, Arne (Janet), New Albin and Arlyn (Marge), Durham, CA; nine grandchildren; and three sisters, Alvina Fruechte and Irma Ashbacher, both of Caledonia, and Dorothy (Armin) Wuennecke of Waukon.

Henry is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Lydia Weber and Esther Hartley and an infant brother.

Services will be held Wednesday, April 10, 11 am at St. Johnís Wheatland United Church of Christ in rural New Albin with Rev. Paul Burgess and Rev. Wayne Lura officiating with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 4-8 pm Tuesday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon and at the church one hour prior to services on Wednesday.

Top of Page