WARRENS - Gary L. Benjamin, 81 of Warrens, died peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, November 23, 2023. He was born on December 3, 1941, to Winton and Frieda (Rudoll) Benjamin in Tomah. He was a member of the Tomah High School Graduating Class of 1960. Shortly after graduation, Gary married his high school sweetheart, Linda Lee Harris on September 30, 1961, at St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church, Indian Creek. She preceded him in death on April 10, 2023. Gary enlisted as a Fireman 3rd Class into the United States Navy Reserves working in the boiler room on the USS WREN. As a young man, Gary had a variety of jobs in the area. He worked for the Cash Store, learned to be a driver hauling milk, attended barber school in Rockford and barbered in town and at the Tomah VA. He later took a position at Fort McCoy as a carpenter which led to him establishing B&B Construction in which he was the owner/operator for numerous years until his retirement. Even in retirement, Gary liked to stay busy. He delivered film for Fuji, plowed snow for many years and when Linda retired, they delivered campers throughout the US.
He was a faithful and devoted lifetime member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, an avid Green Bay Packers Fan and Corvette enthusiast who had the heart and foot of a NASCAR driver. In his spare time, he enjoyed creating a beautiful garden in his yard with Linda, hunting, riding motorcycle and snowmobiling. Gary and Linda were founding members of the Warrens Trail Twisters Snowmobiling Club, where he kept the trails groomed for riders to enjoy for many years. He was also a proud lifetime member of the NRA. Spending time with his family and friends was the greatest joy of his life. Hosting the family events, especially the family reunions, were very special times of the year, regardless of the weather.
He is survived by his son Dana (Toni) Benjamin of Custer, SD, daughters, Shari Benjamin of Warrens, Vikki (Jeff) Dolezal of Waterford, Kara (Terry) Burn of Moose Lake, MN , 11 grandchildren, Anthony (Anna) Benjamin, Raeanne (Stephen) Evans, and Mandy Benjamin, Derek Ford and Jason Morgan, Phyllisa, Sydney, and Carlene Zuehlke, Adrienne, Aaron, and Andrew Burn, 7 great-grandchildren, a faithful companion, Meadow, sister, Marlene Sebranek, sisters-in-law, Agnes Benjamin and Eleanor King, brother-in-law, Glen (Serena) Harris, many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Linda, father-in-law, and mother-in-law, Elmer “Lee” and Phyllis Harris, brothers, Don and Tom Benjamin, sisters, Shirley Ellsworth and Carol Martin, and a brother-in-law, Ray Harris.
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2023, 11:00 AM at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave., Tomah. Pastor Robert Gerke will officiate. Burial will be in Warren Mills Cemetery, Warrens, WI. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau Street, Tomah and on Thursday at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Online condolences can be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home
