William H. Behnke, age 89, a resident of Manitowoc, entered eternal life on Friday, October 17, 2025 at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa.
Bill was born in Reedsville on March 10, 1936. He graduated from Brillion High School with the class of 1954. Bill enlisted in the United States Army National Guard, where he served his country for nearly a decade. On September 7, 1957, Bill married Ruth Carstens at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church in Manitowoc. Together, Bill and Ruth owned and operated the family farm on Highway 310 for 40 years. Bill simultaneously worked at Eck Foundry (where he was fondly called “Gramps”), from where he retired at the age of 77. He had a love of music and played the trumpet and saxophone in over 1,000 performances with polka bands, including Bill Behnke Band and Diana Schroeder Orchestra. Bill had a love for hunting, fishing, and the outdoors, and was a member of Rockea and Westshore Hunting Clubs. He was self-taught and fluent in German. Bill was an active member of Rockwood Evangelical Lutheran Church, and also served as a volunteer firefighter for Rockwood Fire Department.
Survivors include Bill’s wife of 68 years, Ruth; five children, David (Brenda) Behnke, Laurel (Chris) den Heijer, Daniel (Colinda) Behnke, Paul (Donna) Behnke, and Mark (Heather) Behnke; 11 grandchildren, Erica (Derick) Schoenike, Johathan (Faith) Behnke, Dustin (Jessica) Behnke, Stacy (Craig) Schweppe, Morgan Sickinger, Megan (Nic) Jensen, Marlee Sickinger, Michelle (Chris) Steiner, Maleah Sickinger and her fiancée, Al Simonis, Z. Micah Sickinger, and Hunter Behnke; 11 great grandchildren with another on the way; brother, Wilmer (Dixie) Behnke; sister, Deanna (Randy) Brandes; sister-in-law, Betty Carstens; also nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Bill was preceded in death by his mom, Elsie Behnke; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harvey and Martha Carstens; son-in-law, Mike Sickinger; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Emil (Evelyn) Carstens, Marie (Leonard) Carstens, Elmer (Evelyn) Carstens, and Harvey Carstens Jr.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025 at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2426 North Rapids Road, Manitowoc. Rev. Ryan Henning and Rev. James Heffner will officiate with entombment to take place at Knollwood Mausoleum. The family will greet relatives and friends at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church on Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The visitation will continue at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church on Friday, October 24, 2025 from 9 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in Bill’s name.
Bill’s family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to the staffs of Froedtert HFM in Manitowoc and Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, along with the paramedics for all their care and efforts.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
