Paul Benischek

Paul Bernell Benischek of Anamosa, Iowa died on December 20, 2023 with his wife of 72 years by his side.  Paul was born March 29, 1928 to Albert Benischek and Tillie (Tatak) Benischek, in rural Clinton County.  His birth was a surprise, following the birth of his twin sister, Pauline, who predeceased him. 

His funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at St. John Lutheran Church in Olin. A visitation will be held prior to his service from 9;30-11:00 am at St. John Lutheran Church. Burial with military honors will be at Mayflower Cemetery in Oxford Junction. 

Paul attended Burr Oak Country School and Lost Nation High School. He served in the U.S Army in the Pacific, a veteran of World War II. He was hospitalized in the Pacific, and later in Washington State until his discharge. He married June L. Ruchotzke on February 4, 1951, in Clinton, Iowa.  They farmed near Oxford Junction, Iowa until their retirement in 1983, when they moved to rural Anamosa.

Paul was a Lifetime member of the American Legion Wapsie Post #473, Oxford Junction, the O'Connor Regenwether VFW post No. 3633, Maquoketa, and the Disabled American Veterans. Paul served as a Farm Bureau Director (Oxford Township, Jones County).  He enjoyed the outdoors, playing cards with two card clubs and was the local "mole man" who trapped varmints.   

Paul is survived by his wife, June L. Benischek, two daughters LeeAnn Benischek (Steve Groner) of Daytona Beach Shores, Florida and Barbara Benischek Souza (Charlie) of St. Petersburg, Florida, two grandchildren, Melissa Crabb of Hanover, Maryland and  Sebastian (Ian) Stephenson, of Norfolk, Virginia, and sister Marlene Werden of Winona, Minnesota..    

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother George in childhood, and three  brothers and their wives, Raymond (LaVon) Benischek, Otto (Esther) Benischek, all of Oxford Junction, and Stanley (Jan) Benischek, Davenport, three sisters and their husbands, Elsie (Donald) Shaw of Maquoketa, Rita Chapel (Carl) of Boulder, Colorado, and Pauline Twatchmann Ahrendsen (Don and Gayle), of Monticello,
 

A special thanks to neighbors Barb and Denis Paulsen for their years of devotion to Paul and June. Memorials may be made to Camp Courageous, Monticello, Iowa or to The Disabled American Veterans at DAV.org.    

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