Leslie “Les” R. Behnke, age 100 of Clintonville, passed away Saturday, January 12, 2019 at the Aster Retirement Community in Clintonville. Leslie Rudolph Behnke was born on September 23, 1918 in Amherst as the son of the late Edwin and Ida (Riemer) Behnke. Les graduated from Amherst High School.
He was united in marriage to Rose Clinton on August 28, 1943 in Clintonville. As a young man he served his country in the United States Army during WWII; mainly as a tank driver. Upon his discharge, Les returned home to his family in the Town of Matteson, Waupaca County.
He and Rose were proud owners of Matteson Cheese & Butter until their retirement in 1979. Les was a member of Christus Lutheran Church in Clintonville where he volunteered as an usher. He was also a life member of the Clintonville American Legion Post #63 and VFW Post #664.
Rose preceded her husband in death on December 28, 2003. In 2012 Les moved from his residence on Behnke Rd to Aster Retirement Community in Clintonville where he has resided since. In his free time, Les loved to go turkey hunting, play horseshoes, take care of his horses, and spend time polka dancing and bowling with Rose.
If you knew Les, you knew he had a great personality and sense of humor that will certainly be missed throughout the community. Survivors include: His Children: Dan (Pat) Behnke & Sue (Linda Ranieri) Behnke. Grandchildren: Michael (Stephanie) Gough, Jason (Anna) Gough, Christine (Rick) Clapper, Laurie Schuelke, Wendy (Nick) VonRueden, Tom (Lish) Behnke, Garrett (Ginny) Hughes, & Todd Dollevoet.
Great-Grandchildren: Gweneth, Lilian, Riley, Calvin, George, Jenna, Bob, Jessica, Michael, Christian, Deacon, Xander, Addison Rose, Molly, William, Evan, & Cole. Great-Great-Grandson: Grayson. Sister: Audrey Arndt.
Sister-in-law: Carla Behnke. Also numerous other relatives and friends. Les was preceded in death by his parents, wife Rose, daughter Sandra Behnke, grandson John Leslie Behnke, granddaughter Julie Dollevoet, siblings; Ovella (Elmer) Everson, Rosemarie (Roger) Hanson, Ruby (Arlyn) Olmsted, and Roy Behnke, sisters-in-law & brothers-in-law; Lila (George) Garrow, Kate (Norbert) Manleski, Eva Rae (Mattias) Ritchie, Mildred (Leighton) Trice, Dorothy (Steve) Schernick, Joe (Dorothy) Clinton, and Richard Clinton.
Les’ funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 11 AM at Christus Lutheran Church in Clintonville with Rev. Brian Crocker officiating. Interment will follow at St. Rose Cemetery in Clintonville.
Military honors will be conducted at the cemetery by members of the Clintonville American Legion Post #63, VFW Post #664, and American Legion Auxiliary Unit #63. Friends may call at the Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory in Clintonville from 4 -7 PM on Tuesday and at the church on Wednesday from 10 AM until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund will be established by Les’ family.
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