Orval E. Behnke

Orval Ernst William Behnke, 86, of Fond du Lac and formerly of Kewaskum, was called to his heavenly home on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, WI.Orval was born on April 10, 1927, in Reedsville, WI, to Henry G. and Mabel (Pollack) Behnke. He was baptized at St. John St. James Lutheran Church in Reedsville, WI, where he was also confirmed at the age of 14. Orval grew up on his parents' dairy farm in the rural Reedsville area and graduated in 1945 from Reedsville high school, where he participated in several sports. In 1950 Orv graduated from Platteville State Teachers' College with a degree in Agricultural Education. He taught in Abbotsford, WI and then was drafted into the Army in 1951, where he served in New Orleans in the food inspection corps. He married his college sweetheart, Ruth M. Lippoldt, on December 26, 1951, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Darlington, WI. After completing his service, Orv taught in Princeton, WI, and Kewaskum, WI. Orval began his insurance career in 1958, a profession he enjoyed for fifty years. As an agent with Equitable Life (NY), Orv became a pension specialist and earned the Chartered Life Underwriter(CLU) designation. He is in Equitable's Hall of Fame and a lifetime Million Dollar Round Table member, winning many awards for client sales and service. He was a leader in his industry's professional association (NALU) and was recognized in 1983 as Equitable's Regional Honor Agent, one of only four nationally.Orval was a member of the Kewaskum Kiwanis Club for over 55 years. He served as chairman of the Police and Fire Commission and the Zoning Commission, as well as terms on the Kewaskum Village Board and School Board. He was a member of the Washington County Civil Service Commission for 25 years. As a member of St. Lucas Lutheran Church, he served as secretary and then president of the church council. He was an active member of the Republican Party in both Washington and Fond du Lac counties and a member of the American Legion Post 384 in Kewaskum.In 1997 Orv and Ruth moved to Fond du Lac, where they became members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in North Fond du Lac. They enjoyed the winters in their home in Sebring, Florida, where Orv could pursue his passion for golf year round. They were members of New Life Lutheran Church in Sebring.Orval is survived by four children, Susan (Ronald) Schmitz of Fond du Lac, Deborah (Col. Paul (Ret.) Christian of Carlsbad, CA, Rev. Thomas (Karen) Behnke of North Fond du Lac, and Katherine (Rev. John) Roekle of Racine; eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; brother, Henry (Doris) Behnke of Reedsville; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Behnke of Manitowoc; brother-in-law, Rene Verbauwhede of Manitowoc; and nieces and nephews. Orval was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; brothers, Leroy and Lem Behnke; and sisters-in-law, LaVerne Behnke and Mary Jo Verbauwhede.



The visitation will be held from 10:00 AM "“ 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1010 Adams Avenue, North Fond du Lac. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church with Rev. Michael Kampman officiating. Burial will be in Lutheran Memorial Park, Kewaskum, WI.The family requests that memorials be directed to St. Paul's Lutheran Church or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, 2929 N. Mayfair Road, Milwaukee, WI 53222.Orv's family extends their gratitude to the staff and residents of Lakeview Estates for their help and friendship during the last four years.Uecker-Witt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.ueckerwitt.com.