MADISON - Clifford Charles William “Cliff” Behnke - journalist, gardener, mentor to many - age 80, died on Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Madison. He was born August 12, 1944, in Green Bay, Wis., to Clifford Frederick and Loney (Lemke) Behnke. His parents farmed near Reedsville in Manitowoc County.

Cliff attended kindergarten at St. John-St. James Lutheran School in Reedsville, elementary school at St. Paul’s Lutheran in Manawa, and graduated from Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton in 1962. While attending the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Cliff was editor-in-chief of The Daily Cardinal student newspaper and was inducted into the Iron Cross Honor Society. He graduated with a B.S. in journalism in 1967.

Cliff began working at the Wisconsin State Journal while still in school and returned there after two years in the U.S. Army. While serving he was stationed at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. and worked for the Pentagram News, published by the headquarters of the Military District of Washington. He received the Army Commendation Medal for his work on Richard Nixon’s first inaugural parade, assisting the 82nd Airborne Division in Washington, D.C. during the riots following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and dealing with the media covering the burial of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy at Arlington National Cemetery and the funeral of Dwight D. Eisenhower at Washington’s National Cathedral.

At the State Journal, Cliff started as a reporter and covered such events as the bombing of Sterling Hall, the merger of the University of Wisconsin and state university systems, and several often-violent anti-Vietnam War protests. He then became city editor, managing editor and finally senior managing editor, retiring in 2006. Retirement led him to work 13 seasons at the Bruce Company Garden Center in Middleton.

He had a fine ear for language and believed “’tis the season” is the ultimate Christmas cliché, “white stuff” for snow is the ultimate weather cliché and that “on the ground” is almost always superfluous. He agreed with Calvin when Calvin told Hobbes, “Verbing weirds language.”

Cliff married his wife, Sharyn, on January 15, 1977, when it was 26 degrees below zero. She survives him along with their son, Tom (Ann); grandson, Brooks; and his close friends, Larry Weber and John Powell.

Cliff enjoyed collecting old maps and atlases and tending his yard, which included a large vegetable garden. He was a long-time member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and held most of its offices, including congregational president. He ushered there for many years.

A memorial service will be held at OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1701 McKenna Blvd., Madison, at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Hors d'oeuvres will be served following the service. A visitation will be held at the church from 3 p.m. until the time of the service on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761

Clifford Charles Behnke

August 12, 1944 - June 15, 2025

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