MONONA / SUN PRAIRIE- It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Richard K. “Dick” Benzine, 82, of Sun Prairie/Monona, Wis., on August 19, 2026. He will be remembered as a beloved and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.

Richard was born on December 12, 1943, in Columbus, Wis., son of Louis and Hilda Benzine. After graduating from Rio High School, he met his wife, Judy, of 48 years and graduated from Madison Business College. While attending business college, he took a job with the business office at Prescription Pharmacy. He was a loving father that raised three children with Judy. He retired in 2006 to help his wife at the St. Stephen's Food Pantry. When Judy passed in 2012, he became the administrator of the food pantry until 2023, when illness from cancer forced him to resign, but he continued on the food pantry board.

Richard was a long-time member of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Monona. He served on the church council and finance committee. He also served as treasurer, financial secretary, deacon, usher, greeter, lector, and sang in the choir.

Richard was an avid Wisconsin sports fan, thoroughly enjoying going to sporting events for the Badgers, Brewers, and Packers. He also enjoyed camping with family and friends, and playing games- especially a heated card game of Euchre. Above all else, Richard loved his family and friends and cherished the time he spent with them.

Richard is survived by his children, Jim (Mary) Benzine, Jenifer (Wayne) Engelbrecht, and Jerry (Holly) Benzine; grandchildren, Annie (Ryan), Michele (Kyle), Lauren, Maddy, Matthew, Sydney, and Brooke (Brady); great-grandson, Logan; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, John and Chris Porter, Karen Kronberg and Gene and JoAnn Benisch; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Judy; sisters, Ethel Uttech, Joyce Reierson, and Judy Benzine; brothers, Lyle Benzine and Ralph Benzine; brothers-in-law, Carl Uttech, Merlin

Reierson, and Bob Kronberg; and sisters-in-law, Oma Benzine, Shirley Benzine, and Ruth Porter.

A funeral service will be held at ST. STEPHEN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5700 Pheasant Hill Road, Monona, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026, with Pastor Elisa Brandt presiding. Burial will follow at County Line Cemetery in Lodi. Visitation will be held at the church from 8 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be gifted in Richard’s name to St. Stephen's Food Pantry or St. Stephen's Lutheran Church.

The family would like to thank Richard's daughter, Jenifer, Dr. Goldrosen, and UW Health Medical and Oncology staff for their compassionate care. Dad we love you and you will be missed. We will cherish all the memories we have made.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Richard K. Benzine

December 12, 1943 - August 19, 2026

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