John P. Benson

It is with great sadness that the family of John P. Benson announces that on Monday, May 18, 2026, he passed away suddenly after years of struggling with his mental health. We pray for grace and understanding as he is welcomed into his heavenly home. His suffering here on Earth is over. May he rest in eternal love and peace.

John was born April 17, 1964, in La Crosse, WI, to Paul and Mary Benson of Stoddard. He was baptized and confirmed at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crosse. Though John lost his battle with his mental illness, he never lost his faith in Christ as his Savior. He attended both Stoddard Elementary and Mt. Calvary in La Crosse. After graduating from Luther High School, he worked at Weavers and Bakalars before his first job driving a semi for A.J. Sweet. His passion for driving truck carried him through about twenty-five years with Kwik Trip and brought him to Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations for the last seven years of his life. He truly loved what he did and took great pride in his work.

John enjoyed his Ford trucks, his motorcycles, and older cars such as his 1968 Mustang. He loved spending his summers on the Mississippi with friends and family. Perhaps John’s greatest love was that of the Packers and NASCAR racing. He shared his love for NASCAR with his close neighbor and friend, Jim (Sandy) La Fore. We will fondly remember his years of hosting Packer Headquarters parties. Not a game will pass without a memory of him donning that green and gold. We will greatly miss his quirky sense of humor, his notorious catchphrases and one-liners, his animated storytelling, and his infectious laughter. His own words describe him best: “What a dandy!”

John is survived by his parents, Paul and Mary, former wife, Leean, brothers Jeff (Kathy), James (Kristy), and Joel, beloved nephews Jarod (Jamie), Kyle (Becca), Caleb, Brock (Yaya), and nieces Olivia and Jamie (Luke). He is also survived by a large extended family of special uncles, aunts, and cousins, and a myriad of friends who will all agree that to know him was to love him. John was preceded in death by his beloved grandparents, Gerhard and Lillian Kapanke, and his dear cousin Steve Kapanke.

John fought hard to carry his pain until the end of his life, and we will now carry that pain with us until the end of ours. May the pain of losing him be softened by our fond memories, our unconditional love, and God’s grace.

There will be a visitation on Friday, June 5th, from 4-7 pm at Schumacher-Kish in La Crosse. The funeral will be the following day, Saturday, June 6th, at St. Matthew’s in Stoddard. A visitation will occur at 9 am, prior to the service, which will begin at 11 am. The internment will take place at Saint Peter's Church in Hamburg, WI (approximately a 15-minute drive from St. Matthew’s). A celebration of life will also be held on June 6th at the Stoddard Legion. Guests are welcome to gather at the Legion immediately following the service until the celebration begins at 2 pm.