George L. Benson

George L. Benson, of Elcho, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at his lake home on Monday, May 26th, 2014 at the age of 79. He was born September 20th, 1934, in Bothell, Washington, the only child of George and Gertrude (Rolph) Benson.

After graduating from Bothell High School, he earned a degree in Business Administration at the University of Washington. George was an entrepreneur who built several businesses throughout his life. At the time of his death he was the CEO of Wisconsin Wireless Communications Corporation of Little Chute, Wisconsin. George had also served on a number of nonprofit and corporate boards throughout his life.
George was passionate about life, was thankful for every day and was a friend to all. He was hard working, was a servant leader and lived out his values that everyone deserved a chance at success. He was eternally positive, believed all things were possible, and did so much to support and build up others, whether his family, friends, colleagues or employees. He was a Christian, he loved his country and he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He loved being at his lake home in Elcho, high school basketball, Badger and Husky athletics, and spending time with his friends, family and especially his grandchildren.

George was preceded in death by his parents, his son Stephen Kyle Benson, and brother- in-law John (Buddy) Gordon.

George is survived by his children; William (Mary) Benson, Barbara (David) Marshall, Kristin (Timothy) Ellsworth, Shanon (Daryl) Smith, and Pamela (fiancé Edward Collins) Benson-Pauzé. Grandchildren include Alexander (Lillian) Benson; and Eric and Samuel Benson; Ryan (Tracy) Chernick; Ben (Becky) Chernick, Katie (Lee) Van Rite; Kyle and Jonathan Marshall; Molly, Jane, and Anne Ellsworth; Lauren, Hannah and Brooke Smith; Bailey, Morgan and Georgia Pauzé. Great-grandchildren include Christopher Rice Benson; Lexy, Ava and Brady Chernick; Bennett and Beau Chernick; and Zoe Van Rite. He is also survived by his beloved special friend Kathy Jameson; his first wife, Sally Petersen; his second wife, Kyleen Benson; brother- and sister-in-law Michael (Joyce) Gordon and Patricia (Paul) Caflisch; niece Kerrie Gordon-Atkins; nephew Chad Gordon, 13 special first cousins from Washington state and their families; business partner Roy Vande Hey and family, his entire business family and personal friends.

In celebration of George's life, visitation will be 3 – 6 p.m. Thursday, June 5 at the First United Methodist Church, 325 East Franklin St., Appleton, Wis. A memorial celebration will follow at 6 p.m. at the church. Rev. Krystal Goodger will officiate.

Memorials in George's name will be accepted for charity. The Wichmann-Fargo Funeral Home of Appleton is serving the family.

A life well lived!