Donald Benedum's Obituary
Donald R. Benedum
Waupaca, WI Age 83 - died on Sunday, March 16, 2008 at Bethany Home in Waupaca. He was born on April 21, 1924 in Wauwatosa, WI, the son of Alfred and Pearl (Krause) Benedum. He grew up in Appleton, WI and had attended Zion Lutheran School for 8 years. He graduated from Appleton North High School. He then attended special classes to prepare to go into the Air Force. He served in the Air Force from 1943 – 1947, serving with the 486th Heavy Bombardment group and the 834th Squadron. Following his discharge from the Air Force he moved to Waupaca, WI in 1948 where he met Joan Logan. They were married on January 22, 1949 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca. Don had been employed with the Department of Taxation in the petroleum products division. He then became a partner in the Quigley-Smart Company in Beloit, WI until his retirement in 1990. Following his retirement, Don and Joan moved back to Waupaca. He was a member of the Wisconsin Bath and Kitchen Designers Assoc., and the West Side Businessmen’s Assoc. of Beloit. He had been a School Board member in Beloit for 20 years. He had also been active with CESA and the Wisconsin State Educational Assoc. in Madison. Don had also been associated with the Drug and Alcohol Commission of Wisconsin. He had also been involved with the various military service organizations, including being a Past Commander of the DAV in Appleton. He had also been active in the VFW and the American Legion. He was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge and had dual membership in Waupaca Lodge #123 and Beloit Lodge #10. He was a past Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapters #77 Evening Star/#215 Phoenix of Beloit. He had served on the Rainbow Board for Girls in Beloit for seven years, and was a holder of the Grand Cross of Colors. Don had also been an active member of the Shepherd of The Lakes Church in Waupaca for several years. Don is survived by his wife; Joan, two daughters; Sandra (Dan) Karns of Oshkosh, Cathy Jo (Gary) Jansen of Waukesha, eight grandchildren; Virgil Myers, Thalia (Tim) Kloehn, Marsha (Jake) Schneider, Alex Karns, Staci Karns, Mathew Jansen, and twins; Marissa and Meghen Jansen, two great grandchildren; Autumn Kloehn and Caleb Schneider, his step-mother; June Benedum, half-brothers; Tom (Sharon) Benedum and Al Benedum, and two half-sisters; Mary Ann (Richard) Schroeder and Shirley (Richard) Greetan. Don was preceded in death by his parents, and a half-sister-in-law; Dora Benedum. A funeral service will be held at the Shepherd of The Lakes Church in Waupaca, WI on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 3:00 PM, with the Reverend Dave Martin, Pastor, officiating. Friends may call at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM. A Masonic Service will be held on Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM at the Holly Funeral Home. A visitation will also be held on Thursday, March 27, 2008 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at the Schoenfeld Funeral Home in Beloit, WI. A committal service followed by military honors will be held on Friday, March 28, 2008 at 10:00 AM at the Blue River Cemetery, Blue River, WI. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to Theda Care at Home Hospice – Waupaca area, in the name of Donald R. Benedum. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca, WI is assisting the family with arrangements.
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