Dennis Lee "Donuts" Behnke

It was a Hallelujah moment on the evening of December 3, 2023 when Dennis "Donuts" Behnke, 78, of Green Bay, went home to be with our Lord. He was born on August 20, 1945 to Eugene and Marion (Knickerbocker) Behnke in Green Bay. He attended schools in Morrison, Brillion, and got confirmed from Wayside Zion Lutheran School. Dennis graduated from Reedsville High School in 1963 and graduated from the Computer Institute in Appleton in 1970.
On June 8, 1968, he married Joan VanderMissen. Together they lived in Irving, Texas and Chilton, Wisconsin, with Green Bay being their permanent home. Dennis and Joan worked together delivering newspapers and supplies all the way to the peak of Door County for Mader News.
Dennis was a travel buff. Dennis and Joan had very memorable trips to Florida together with their special friends at the Villages. He also enjoyed building bird houses with his buddy, Bubba. He was a puzzle geek and loved the porch therapy sessions with beloved neighbors. Anything and everything was discussed during those moments and everyone always went home happy after.
As a Wisconsite, Dennis loved the Brewers and the Packers. He thoroughly enjoyed parking cars at the Packer games, which gave him a chance to meet people all over the country and create lifelong friendships. He also loved the scooter that was given to him by his brother-in-law and nephew. He did a lot of visiting around with that beloved scooter - putting a lot of miles on it as he never wanted to sit when he had that scooter with him.
He and Joan were members of the Living Hope Church.
Dennis is survived by his loving wife, Joan "Molly"; two sisters, Shelly (Don) Zahorik of Reedsville and Candice Dvorak of Kellnersville; sister-in-law, Janice Behnke of Sheboygan; two brother-in-laws, Wayne (Sherrie) VanderMissen of Green Bay and Llyod Beuchel of Chilton. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Charles and Sally VanderMissen; two brothers, Gene (Marge) Behnke Jr and Verlin Behnke; three sisters: Delores (John) Schmieder, Dorene Beuchel and Lilas (John) Rosinsky; and two brother-in-laws, Richard Dvorak and James Dvorak.
A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 11 AM at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions (340 S. Monroe Ave). A visitation will be starting at 9:30 am until the time of the service. Pastor Don Olson will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
Joan would like to express an extreme thank you to the family, Terri F and Unity for all wonderful support and care that Dennis and herself received. Joan would also like to thank the beautiful neighborhood as well for always checking in and taking care of them.
"He is more alive today than when he was on Earth."
Dennis's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service.
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