David A. Bennett

David Allan Bennett, 31, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2024 as a result of a June 25 cardiac event. He was lovingly surrounded by his family and his girlfriend of three years. Selfless and generous, David touched a multitude of people throughout his life and was highly regarded as caring, thoughtful, considerate, funny, and kind. David had a humble soul, preferring to stay out of the spotlight while helping or supporting the needs of others. He had an incredible sense of humor and always brought light to every situation by making people laugh.
Born on October 30, 1992 in Neenah, WI to Anne and Mark Bennett, David attended Coolidge Elementary School, Horace Mann Middle School, and graduated from Neenah High School in 2011. As a Rocket, he found great success in academics and athletics (soccer, swimming, track).
Believing it was never too late to try something new, David bravely pursued his diverse talents, abilities, and interests including taking on challenges in engineering, biology, emergency medicine, nutrition, cooking, and woodworking. David enjoyed being creative and loved a wide variety of music, comedy, and theatre. He also loved to share his knowledge and abilities with others, especially by mentoring young people, as he was able to do for the past few years as the Junior High Youth (JOY) Advisor at First Presbyterian Church. He spent many summers in various roles at Pilgrim Center in Green Lake, WI; he was also a youth advisor during his time in Marquette, MI.
He received a BS in Biology from Northern Michigan University in 2017, then earned a degree in Culinary Arts at Kendall College of Culinary Arts in Chicago in 2018.
Following his creativity and passion to provide quality food, David started his own catering business (Prepd) in 2019 in Appleton, WI, later changing the name to Valley Catering. Through tireless effort and dedication, he was able to establish and grow his business to serve a variety of needs for catering events as well as to provide delicious individual meals.
He is survived by his grandmother Lela Bishop, mother Anne Bennett, father Mark Bennett, sister Emily Bennett, and two brothers Steven Bennett and Michael Bennett, as well as his girlfriend Lily Johnson and their dog, Rosie. He is preceded in death by his two grandfathers Malcolm Bishop and Bill Bennett and grandmother Mary Bennett.
A Celebration of David's Life is scheduled for Saturday July 6, 2024 at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church in Neenah, WI, followed by good food and refreshments from Valley Catering and Blue Lid BBQ immediately following the service. The family will receive visitation during the refreshment period.
The service will also be live-streamed on Zoom at Celebration of Life for David Bennett
[Typically meeting IDs and passcodes are not needed to enter a meeting – just in case:
Meeting ID: 835 7656 8555 and Passcode: 779177] https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83576568555?pwd=SrCygKDDRbGXwUnRWP3uFEliekh9Mp.1
David's vision and passion for cooking and serving others will live on as we work to establish "David's Table". This will be a non-profit community outreach program in cooperation with First Presbyterian Church to offer nourishment to anyone.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages anyone desiring to honor David to donate to the "David's Table" Memorial Fund established and managed through Community Foundation of Fox Valley.
Donations may be made online to "David's Table" at David's Table Memorial Fund
or checks can be sent to: Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region,
4455 W. Lawrence Street Appleton, WI 54914 (include "for David's Table" in the memo line).
The family wishes to express its heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at St. Elizabeth ICU and Emergency departments, as well as the incredible staff at the Versiti Organ Procurement Organization for supporting David and his family through this very difficult time. Pastor Kimbrel Johnson has been by our side continuously throughout this time as a necessary and loving presence that we so greatly appreciate.
While we are all deeply saddened at the sudden loss of our David, we are encouraged by the life-altering organ, eye, and tissue donations David has gifted, and we pray for a swift and successful recovery for the fortunate recipients.
Thank you to our loving and supporting community, church family, and friends who have poured out their love in so many ways. We are extremely grateful.