Obituary: Thomas E. Behnke

Thomas E. Behnke, age 71 of Valders passed away on Thursday morning, January 9, 2025 surrounded by his family at Aurora BayCare Medical Center, Green Bay.

Tom was born on May 24, 1953 in Green Bay, son of the late Elmer and Lucille (Stern) Behnke. He graduated with the Class of 1971 from Brillion High School. On October 7, 1989 Tom married the former Janice Zutz at Faith Lutheran Church, Valders. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church and United Auto Workers (UAW) Local #833. He enjoyed the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, gardening, bingo, playing cards and shaking dice with his family and especially his dog Bailey. Tom never left without a kiss, hug and an I love you.

He is survived by his wife: Janice Behnke, Valders; eight children: Nicki (Nicole) Behnke-Welke, Shawano, Shelly Behnke and her fiancé: David Wetzel, Kewaunee, Ben (Amy) Behnke, Almond, Sarah Behnke and her fiancée: Christi Anderson, Burlington, Dawn (Duane) Bushman, Brookfield, Debbie (David) Schisel, Chilton, David (Emily) Nemecek, MN, Dean (Kristin) Nemecek, Fall River; twenty-seven grandchildren: Thomas “Tommy” Behnke-Welke, Shawano, Aaliyah Williams, Stevens Point, Nadia Williams, Manitowoc, Kamali Williams, Manitowoc, Kimora Williams, Manitowoc, Gwenva Walcott, Kewaunee, Isabelle Behnke, Lucy Behnke, Loretta Behnke, Geneva Behnke, Imogene Behnke, Asher Behnke, all of Almond, Anderson Timmons, Burlington, Amelia Anderson, Burlington, Derek (Laura) Bushman, New Berlin, Ashley Bushman, Brookfield, Brandon (Kaylyn) Schisel, Reedsville, Austin (Hailey) Schisel, Forest Junction, Jauger (Paige) Schisel, Chilton, Carter Neumeyer, Appleton, Juliet Nemecek, MN, Elton Nemecek, MN, Gage Nemecek and special friend: Jadyn White, Madison, Blake Nemecek, Madison, Madison Nemecek, Raegan Nemecek, Wilson Nemecek, all of Fall River; six great-grandchildren: Bryce, Remy, Cole, Quinn, Ryker, Orie; one brother: Ron (Joanne) Behnke, Maribel; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Lynn (Ronnie) Grimm, Branch, Daryle (Nancy) Zutz, Collins, Cheryle Jandrey, Jeffrey (Vermae) Zutz, Reedsville, Joyce (Wayne) Draheim, Valders, Lawrence (Rosemary) Zutz, Brillion, Lesley (Joan) Zutz, Chilton, Ralph (Bonnie) Zutz, Jr., Brillion, Stanley Zutz, Manitowoc, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. He was preceded in death by his ma and pa: Elmer and Lucille Behnke; one sister-in-law and two brothers-in-law: Linda (Jerry) Krepline, William Jandrey; one daughter-in-law: Cassandra Nemecek.

A Funeral Service to celebrate Tom’s life will be held at 12:00 pm on Monday, January 13, 2025 at Faith Lutheran Church, 225 Roosevelt Street, Valders. The Rev. Dan Lyman will officiate. Relatives and friends may call on Monday at the church from 9:00 am until the time of service at 12:00 pm.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com

Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Pfeffer Funeral Home, Manitowoc location, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Family would like to thank the Valders ambulance, his neighbors, the nurses and staff of Aurora BayCare for the care and compassion given to Tom.