Roland "Rollie" Albert Benzow, Sr.

Service Details

Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at St. Richard of Chichester Catholic Church (1503 Grand Avenue) at 11:00 am

Visitation: in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Monday, March 5, 2018 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm (rosary recited at 7:00 pm) and in the church on Tuesday from 10:00 – 11:00 am

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Racine – Roland Albert “Rollie” Benzow, Sr., age 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on Wednesday, February 21, 2018.

Rollie was born in Sturgeon Bay, WI on February 8, 1925 to the late John and Lillian (nee: Simoner) Benzow. He was a graduate of Sturgeon Bay High School. Rollie faithfully served our country with the United States Army – 45^th Infantry Division in WWII invading France from the South. He spent four months on Anzio, Italy Beach Head, which was by far the hardest time of his life.

Rollie was united in marriage with Genevieve “Gen” (nee: Shumaker) Benzow on January 3, 1944 in Sturgeon Bay. Gen passed away on November 30, 1999. Years later, on June 16, 2006 in Racine, he was united in marriage with Nancy J. (nee: Luedtke, Kupper, Hartfield) Benzow. Nancy passed away on August 29, 2010.

Rollie was employed as a tool engineer at ACME Die Casting for over 25 years – retiring on June 1, 1990. During a period of that time (1973-1978), he moved to Sheboygan with his family where he worked for the J.L. French Corporation. A man of great faith, Rollie was a member of St. Richard’s Catholic Church (formerly of St. Stanislaus and Holy Name) where he had served as an usher for over 20 years. Proud of his military service, Rollie was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 1391 where he enjoyed several years of bartending for his fellow comrades. He was a devoted member of the Racine Veterans Firing Squad for over 10 years – serving as President and Sub-Commander for several years. As a father, Rollie happily volunteered in multiple interests of his children. He loved and cherished being involved with all of his children and grandchildren. Rollie was always available to lend a helping hand to family & friends whenever and wherever needed.

Surviving are his daughters, Pamela (Jim) Cremer of Racine; Glenna (Ron) Ensweiler of Plano, TX; Paula (Herb) Meyer of Racine; Holly (Phil) Pittner of Sheboygan; Susan (Spence Kaesermann-Oostburg) Dumovich of Racine; and Kellie (Leif) Haugland of Plymouth, MN; sons, John (Donna) Benzow of Escanaba, MI; Rollie Jr. (Tammy) Benzow of Dunbar, WI; and James Benzow of Scottsdale, AZ; step-sons, Randy (Donna) Kupper of Coral Gables, FL and David (Julie) Kupper of Union Grove; step-daughter, Karen (Craig) Kodanko of Green Bay, WI; 39 grandchildren; 62 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Myra “Jo” Benzow’ special friend, Denis Bowen; beloved canine bestie, A.J.; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends – too numerous to mention all by name.

In addition to his parents and beloved wives, Rollie was preceded in death by his brother, Arnold Benzow; son-in-law, William Dumovich; in-laws, John & Florence Shumaker; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Mary Dirksen, (Hebbie Christensen), Walter (Eloise) Felbab, David (Dottie) Shumaker, Chester (Jane) Shumaker, Geraldine Langlois (Louis Berns).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at 11:00 am in St. Richard of Chichester Catholic Church, 1503 Grand Avenue, with Fr. Allen Bratkowski and Fr. Ron Gramza officiating. Entombment, with military honors, will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery Mausoleum. A memorial luncheon will follow. Visitation will be in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Monday, March 5^th from 5:00 – 7:00 pm (rosary recited at 7:00 pm) and in the church on Tuesday from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Memorials to the Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin – Veteran Village have been suggested.

All 123 members of the Benzow family wish to thank the staff and residents of the Primrose Retirement Community for their loving care of Rollie. He thought of you as his family too!