Obit: Bentzler, Donald James (1929 - 2022)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bentzler, Schweiger, Koenigs, Roe, Greenawald, Karren, Burkhart, Lasch, Aumann, Froeba, Freuhbrodt, Grutzik, Weighner

----Source: Rembs Funeral Home (Marshfield, Wood Co., WI) 5/12/2022

Bentzler, Donald James (31 January 1929 – 10 May 2022) With Flag

Donald James Bentzler, 93, Marshfield, passed away on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at House of the Dove, Marshfield.

Donald was born the fifth of 15 children on January 31, 1929, to George and Leona (Schweiger) Bentzler in the town of Loyal, Clark County, WI. He attended St. Anthony's School, Loyal and graduated from Loyal High School. Don enlisted in the U.S. Army at Fort Ord, California and served as Corporal with Company H, 8th Infantry Division in Japan and in the Army of Occupation on the island of Koje, South Korea from 1947-1950. Following his return from service was employed in South Bend, Indiana at Roach-Appleton Refrigeration and Studebaker Co. He returned to the area in 1954 and was employed at Roddis Company later Weyerhaeuser Company, retiring in 1989.

Don married Georgiane Koenigs in Oshkosh (St. Peter's Catholic church) on June 22,1963.

He was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local 1733; life member in the American Legion Lesslyong- Sadowski-Kesler-Martin-Altman Post 54; Catholic Knights Branch 309- Marshfield; Knights of Columbus Father John Council No. 1799; St. John's Catholic Church; Holy Name Society and Forum 55. His greatest joy was spending weekends and vacations at the cabin he built on Pier Lake (Oneida County) where he spent countless hours fishing or hunting with family and friends for 35 years. Following retirement, he and his wife traveled extensively throughout United States and Canada including Alaska, Hawaii and the Caribbean and spent several winters in Florida, Arizona and Idaho. Don was an avid reader of Westerns and doing puzzles. He enjoyed gardening and his motto was "Never go to the garden without a hoe." His favorite activity was watching the Brewers, Packers and Wisconsin games.

He is survived by his wife Georgiane and children; Lori Bentzler (Doug Roe), Twin Falls, ID; Thomas (Jody) Bentzler, Suamico; grandchildren Mackenzie, Kylie and Hannah Greenawald, Twin Falls, ID; step- grandchildren Danielle Roe, Boise, ID; Michael Roe, Burley, ID; step- great grandchildren Rylon Karren, Boise, ID and Kaya Roe, Burley, ID. He is further survived by his sisters; Mary Burkhardt, South Bend, IN, Darlene Lasch, South Bend, IN, Leona Aumann, Marshfield, Kathleen Froeba, Loyal, and Janet Freuhbrodt, Marshfield; brothers, George, Jr., Crivitz, Edward (Donna), Rochester, NH, Raymond (Darlene), Hartford, Kenneth, New London; sister- in-law Lorraine Bentzler, Marshfield, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, sisters Lorraine Bentzler (in infancy) and Virginia Grutzik; brothers LaVerne (Bud), Jerome, and Garland, and step-granddaughter Michele Roe.

A visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at Rembs Funeral Home in Marshfield. A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday at St. John’s Catholic Church in Marshfield with Rev. James Weighner officiating. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery where military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post 54, Marshfield.

Memorials can be designated to the American Legion Post 54, Marshfield or a charity of your choice.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Kathy at Interim Health Care, Mariah at Compassus, Karen and Kathleen, and the residents of Sawyer Place.