Albert M. Benusa, 97, of Pepin and formerly of Waumandee, WI died on Saturday, February 22, 2014, at Pepin Manor in Pepin, WI. Albert was born on April 12, 1916, in the Town of Lincoln, Buffalo Co. Wisconsin to Michael and Eva Wilhelmina "Minnie" (Schmidtknecht) Benusa. Later the family moved to Waumandee, where Albert attended St. Boniface Catholic School. He is the last survivor of the first graduating class of St. Boniface Catholic School. He married Orphie Rosenow on October 23, 1939, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waumandee.
Albert drove truck at an early age for Norbert Schank, Earl Benning, and Art Schieddegger, and then went into business for himself (Benusa Trucking) in 1945. After selling the trucking business to Al Slaby in 1953, he started grinding feed on the farm (Benusa Feed Service), selling that business to Gordon Gilford in 1966, after that he drove truck for Garden Valley, hauling milk and feed. Albert retired in 1984, and moved to Arcadia in 2001.
Albert was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church where he had been an usher. He was a member of the Waumandee-Montana Fire Dept. Enjoyed playing basketball, baseball, bowling, playing cards and the Brewers.
Albert is survived by 4 daughters: Mary (Kent) Halling of Rochester, Patricia (Jeff) Hanke of North Liberty, Iowa, Jo Ann (Chuck) Blaschko of Arcadia, Beatrice (Jim) Haines of Pepin; one sister, Mary Helen Tulius of Arcadia; one brother, Michael (Cheryl) Benusa of Buffalo City; 8 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Orphie on Dec. 27, 2006; brothers: Emil (Olive) Benusa, Gilbert (Ruth) Benusa, two infant brothers, and brother-in-law, Ed Tulius.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 28, 2014, at 11:00 AM at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waumandee, with Rev. Brian Jazdzewski officiating. Friends may call on Thursday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Wozney-Killian Funeral Home and then on Friday from 9:30 AM until the time of services at the church. Burial will be in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery in Waumandee, WI. Memorials may be directed to St. Boniface Catholic Church, Waumandee-Montana Fire Dept. or the Pepin Manor.
Visitation
FEB
27.
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CST)
Wozney-Killian Funeral Home
1378 East Wilson Avenue
Arcadia, WI 54612
Visitation
FEB
28.
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM (CST)
St. Boniface Catholic Church
S2026 County Road U
Waumandee, WI 54622