Donald Benne, 88, of Beemer, formerly of West Point, died Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at Colonial Haven in Beemer. Funeral service will be Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at 10:30am at St. Paul Lutheran Church in West Point. Pallbearers are Scott Benne, Adam Kirsch, Brian Suhr, Greg Suhr, Steve Benne, Derek Summers. Burial is at Mount Hope Cemetery with lunch following at the church hall. Visitation will be Tuesday from 12:00pm to 7:00pm with family receiving friends from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Stokely Funeral Home. Memorial may be made to West Point Volunteer Fire Department, St. Paul Lutheran Church, or Beemer Rescue. Donald Ralph Benne was born January 31, 1928 in West Point to Ralph Frederich and Martha Gesine (Wiechmann) Benne. He was baptized into the faith on February 26, 1928 and confirmed on April 6, 1941 by Rev. A. R. Ed Oelschlaeger at St. Paul Lutheran Church in West Point. While in high school, Don worked at Ortmeier’s Feeds, then at age 16 started work with Omaha Cold Storage in West Point where he traveled to farms to collect eggs. In 1946, Don graduated from West Point Public School. He worked for a time at a West Point gas station, then at Farmer’s Union Store for three years. On July 3, 1949, he was united in marriage to Vera Ruth Zieg at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Scribner. They had met at the roller skating rink and loved to waltz on skates. In 1951, he began his 40 year career with Norco Feeds in West Point, the last 23 years as manager, retiring in 1991. Don and Vera moved to Colonial Courts in Beemer in January 2012 and then moved to Colonial Haven in January 2015. In retirement he enjoyed driving vehicles for Paus Motors for several years. Don was an avid baseball fan. He caught for the West Point Legion team, West Point town team, played semi-pro baseball in the late 40’s & 50’s and umpired until the early 60’s. In the late 40’s he had an offer to play for the St. Louis Cardinal’s farm team, but declined. From 1949 to 1974 he served on the West Point Volunteer Fire Department, serving the entire 25 years on Company 2. He served as fire chief from 1962-1966. He was a lifetime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where he served several terms as Elder and President of St. Paul Lutheran Church. He sang in the church choir for 50 years, and was a charter member of the Cuming Choraliers. Don is survived by his children: Russell (Kathleen) Benne of San Angelo, TX, Deb (Jim) Kirsch of Norfolk, Joyce (Dennis) Suhr of West Point, Mark (Karen) Benne of West Point, and Bruce (Katherine) Benne of Tustin, CA; grandchildren: Marsha Benne, Scott Benne, Adam (Lauren) Kirsch, Jason (Denisha) Kirsch, Lisa (Ryan) Burger, Brian Suhr, Greg Suhr, Brenda Suhr, Ruth (Brian) Heller, Deana Benne, Laura (Kirby) Fox, Steven (Stacy) Benne, and Fenton Benne; great grandchildren: Kaitlyn and Derek Summers, Jacob and Micah Kirsch, Kylie and Lexie Burger, Taylor Gerlach, Sarah Suhr, Devin Suhr, Karissa Suhr, Riley and Hailey Heller, Chase and Melanie Fox; brother Deloy (Lillian) Benne of Norfolk and sister Arla Mae (Frank) Rose of Wakefield. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera, on March 2, 2015, parents and brother, Ivan.