Richard Bienema 1927-2000

Richard J. Bienema, age 81, a native Monroe businessman and resident of Verona, WI, passed away at the Ellen and Peter Johnson Hospice Care Center in Fitchburg, WI on Sunday September 14, 2008, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease and lung cancer. Dick was born in Monroe on May 15th, 1927, to Arthur and Marguerite (Schneider) Beinema. He graduated from Monroe High School in 1945 and enlisted and served proudly in the United States Coast Guard. He was united in marriage to Patricia Knaack on March 1, 1952 at St. John's Church in Monroe.

Dick was successful in real estate property development with Behring Properties in southern Florida and he was also a Monroe businessman throughout his adult life. He established and co-owned the Suisse Haus in Monroe and was the owner of Bienema Olds-Cadillac in Monroe. Upon retirement, he and Pat lived near two of their daughters in Atlanta, Ga. and recently returned to Verona, WI, where they were active at their retirement community, local senior center and as members of Salem United Church of Christ, Verona.

Dick loved to spend time in Canada and Hayward, WI, "fishing for the big ones" with his fishing buddies. He was an avid fan of the Monroe Cheesemakers, Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers. Dick cherished the time spent with Pat, his daughters, sons in law and grandchildren and enjoyed extended family gatherings on the holidays.

Dick is survived by his wife, Pat of 56 years; his daughter and son-in-law; Susan and Robert Kuster of Janesville, his daughter and son-in-law; Lisa and David Dempsey, Buford, GA., his daughter, Kristine Bienema, Duluth, Ga.; his granddaughter and husband; Tiffany and Supin Hsu of Norcross, GA, his grandson and wife, Robert and Meredith Kuster, Janesville, his brother; Robert Beinema, Monroe and his sister and brother-in-law; Helen Jean and William Knechtges, Monona.

He is further survived by his sister-in-law, Virginia Kummer, Portage and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Kristine and James Ronspiez, Oregon, WI, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends including the residents of Sugar Creek Apartments, Verona.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his maternal grandparents; Mary and John Schneider, who lovingly raised him after his mother died shortly after his birth; his brothers-in-law; Charles Kummer and Kenneth Doyle, his sister-in-law; Joan Knaack Doyle, his nieces; Julie Kummer Bartz and Heidi Lemke, and his nephew; Kevin Doyle.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008, at SALEM UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 502 Mark Dr., Verona. The Dr. Rev. Mark Yurs will officiate the service. A visitation will be held at the CHURCH from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday. Inurnment will follow at Verona City Cemetery, Verona, WI. Memorials may be made to: Hospice Care, Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy, Fitchburg, WI 53711 or to Salem United Church of Christ, 502 Mark Dr., Verona, WI 53953.

Richard's family extends a special thank you to all the staff at Hospice Care, especially, Russ, Sina and Patty as well as Rev. Mark Yurs for all of their kindness. We love and miss you ... "Death does not extinguish the Light, rather it puts out the lamp because the dawn has come."