August 21, 2018 – West Bend, WI – Dean L. Benzer, 98, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 17, 2018 at New Perspectives in West Bend. He was born on August 7, 1920 in Whitewater, WI to George and Laura (nee Kachel) Benzer. Dean attended Whitewater High School and University of Wisconsin of Whitewater.
Dean then joined the Army Air Corps in 1943, and was the bombardier on a B-17 serving in England with the 8th Air Force. He was awarded several medals including the air medal with oak leaf cluster.
Following his discharge, he returned to Wisconsin and his employment with Wisconsin Telephone in Madison, where he rejoined his fiancé, Mary.
They were married in Madison on July 19, 1947. Dean and Mary, with their family, moved from Madison to Milwaukee in 1957. Two years later they were transferred to Rhinelander, and then Appleton, and in 1964 he was transferred to West Bend as plant manager for Wisconsin Telephone. He ended his employment of 42 years in Milwaukee as a manager in the Independent Relations Department of Wisconsin Telephone.
Dean enjoyed the outdoors, especially gardening, golfing and traveling. His travels included attending a number of reunions of the 447th Bomb Group of which he was a member of in World War II. Dean was also a former member of the West Bend Kiwanis club, and served as a President, as well as Lieutenant Governer of District 7-5. He also belonged to The Telephone Pioneers of America, and was the President of Dairyland Council four different terms. He was an active member of the American Leigon Post #36 of West Bend, and belonged to Lodge #138 F&A Masons.
Dean is survived by children David (Robin) Benzer of Fifty Lakes, Minnesota, Daniel (Michelle) Benzer, of Chandler, Arizona, grandchildren Heidi (Garrison) Benzer-Griffin of Superior, Wisconsin, Douglas (Christina) of Crosslake, Minnesota, Drew (Megan) of Breezy Point, Minnesota, Stephanie Benzer, Miranda Benzer, and Olivia Benzer of Arizona, and great grandchildren Hunter Benzer, Elijah Benzer, Asher Benzer, Camilla Benzer, and Evelyn Benzer. Further survived by his loving niece Sandra Williams, special friend Dawn Miller, other relatives and friends.
Dean is preceded in death by his wife Mary.
A Funeral Service will be at 12:30pm on August 21, 2018 at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel (1420 W. Paradise Dr. West Bend, WI 53095). Visitation will be at the funeral home on Tuesday, August 21 from 11:00 until 12:30. Entombment will follow with full Military Honors at Washington County Memorial Park.
The family would like to thank the CNA’s who have loved and cared for him and became like family to him at New Perspectives.
Memorials are appreciated to the American Legion, Post 36 in West Bend.