Francis C. Benzing

     Francis “Fran” Conrad Benzing, 100, of Sparta, died Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta.

     He was born February 5, 1919, in Wauwatosa, Milwaukee County, to John and Martha (Martinson) Benzing; and grew up on a farm near Brookfield, WI.

     He married Annetta Schmitz on October 2, 1948, at St. James Catholic Church, Lannon, WI. They dairy farmed near Ixonia, Sussex, and then, for nearly 10 years, Hustisford WI. In 1967, with 17 children in tow, moved to Town of Little Falls, near Sparta, where they farmed until 1980. After retiring they had a small hobby farm where Fran raised purebred Longhorns. He enjoyed traveling the United States, especially the Western States. Fran was married to Annetta for 50 years, until her death in 1998. He then had a special friendship with Jean Peterson of Viroqua WI, for many years. He loved his family and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

     Francis is survived by 16 children: Mary Benzing, Le Claire, IA; Allen (Linda) Benzing, Flower Mound, TX; Bonnie (Kevin) Pfaff, Melrose, WI; Daniel (Linda) Benzing, Sparta; David (Pamela) Benzing, Sparta; Peter (Pamela) Benzing, Rockland; Paul (Susan) Benzing, Sparta; Anthony (Ruth) Benzing, Sparta; Don (Michelle) Benzing, Mindoro; Janice (Frank) Frankini, New Smyrna Beach, FL; Raymond (Christine) Benzing, Mindoro; Robert (Kelly) Benzing, Milton, WI; Loraine (James) Spaeth, Sparta; Linda (Gary) Svoboda, Sparta; Timothy (Shelley) Benzing, Sparta; Tammy (Steven) Hillyer, New Smyrna Beach, FL.; 57 grandchildren; 78 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Verona (Mrs. James) Staton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

     Fran was preceded in death by his parents, John and Martha Benzing; wife, Annetta; son, Bernard; grandson, Bradley; siblings, Alfred, Marcella, Hilary, John, Edgar, Edmund, Hyacinth, Miriam, La Verne, Gladys, and Loretta; and special friend, Jean Peterson.

     A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, May 13, 2019, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Father Eric Berns will and Monsignor Joseph Hirsch will concelebrate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

     Family and friends are invited to a visitation beginning at 5 PM and will conclude with a rosary at 6:45 PM., Sunday, at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, 106 W. Franklin St., Sparta; and from 10 a.m., until the time of mass, Monday, at the church.

     Family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions in Francis Benzing’s name can be made to St. Patrick’s School, Sparta.

     Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.schanhoferfh.com

     Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

     Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

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