Ira Paul Bennicoff

Dear family of Ira, I am a member of the Nekoosa United Church of Christ. I would like to extend my sincere sympathy to you. Ira was a great gentleman. And I am sure he will be missed by many. He and Lu were so well liked by our congregation. It was sad to see them leave our church when they moved. Lu served on our prayer circle and mission and outreach. I was saddened by her passing as well. Ira would frequently come up the the organ after worship and make a compliment on a certain musical selection that was played, or would comment on a setting used on the organ that he liked. ( I was one of two organists). Ira also gave me a starter piece of a lilac bush he had dug up from his yard and I planted in my yard. That is thriving well. The golden raspberry bush that he gave me did not do so well. Oh those berries were delicious! They would bring some of them in to share with our congregational members on the "Garden Shed". Lastly I would like to acknowledge his generosity of donations to our youth group even after they had moved. It was just last summer I believe while I worked in the church office, he called and we had a nice conversation. Asking what was going on and what was happening. He asked about a number of members and how they were doing. Both Lu and Ira were so friendly, so helpful, so thoughtful, both had a good sense of humor. Again my sympathy to you and your families. Lynette Hilgers Nekoosa, WI

Dear family of Ira, I am a member of the Nekoosa United Church of Christ. I would like to extend my sincere sympathy to you. Ira was a great gentleman. And I am sure he will be missed by many. He and Lu were so well liked by our congregation. It was sad to see them leave our church when they moved. Lu served on our prayer circle and mission and outreach. I was saddened by her passing as well. Ira would frequently come up the the organ after worship and make a compliment on a certain musical selection that was played, or would comment on a setting used on the organ that he liked. ( I was one of two organists). Ira also gave me a starter piece of a lilac bush he had dug up from his yard and I planted in my yard. That is thriving well. The golden raspberry bush that he gave me did not do so well. Oh those berries were delicious! They would bring some of them in to share with our congregational members on the "Garden Shed". Lastly I would like to acknowledge his generosity of donations to our youth group even after they had moved. It was just last summer I believe while I worked in the church office, he called and we had a nice conversation. Asking what was going on and what was happening. He asked about a number of members and how they were doing. Both Lu and Ira were so friendly, so helpful, so thoughtful, both had a good sense of humor. Again my sympathy to you and your families. Lynette Hilgers Nekoosa, WI

I work at the Christian Home in the Activities Department where Ira resided. I spent a lot of time with Ira. He could really make me laugh. He shared so many wonderful stories with me and was one of the wisest people I have ever known. He was never afraid to share his opinion but he always did so with a little touch of humor and that''s what I loved so much about him. He gave me and my husband so much advice about our gardening and how to prepare certain meats and meals. I treasured every visit with Ira. I will never forget how he would always say "Hello Lowra" (Laura) every time he would see me. He always told me to go home and give my kids a hug and kiss for him. My husband thought the world of Ira as well because they had so much in common. He loved to go and visit with him too. Ira often spoke about his children and his late wife with such pride. Ira could sure cause a stir at the Christian Home (especially at meal time) but he really just loved to make people laugh. I usually roared with laughter at least twice during each visit with him. The Christian Home will not be the same without him there. He truly had an impact on my life and I will miss him so very much. I gave him a book to read called "Tuesdays with Morrie" because I felt that Ira would really relate to the teacher in the book. Ira really did relate to him and I just hope that I touched Ira''s life even half as much as he touched mine. With all the stories and laughter I shared with Ira, I could probably write a sequel. "Thursdays With Ira". I loved him like he was my grandpa and I will surely miss him so very much. There is no doubt why God put me in that home to work. He knew that I would meet Ira and that we would bring joy to eachother''s lives. I will see you in heaven someday Ira and I will give you the biggest hug and give you a caramel! May God continue to bless his loving family! You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

I work at the Christian Home in the Activities Department where Ira resided. I spent a lot of time with Ira. He could really make me laugh. He shared so many wonderful stories with me and was one of the wisest people I have ever known. He was never afraid to share his opinion but he always did so with a little touch of humor and that''s what I loved so much about him. He gave me and my husband so much advice about our gardening and how to prepare certain meats and meals. I treasured every visit with Ira. I will never forget how he would always say "Hello Lowra" (Laura) every time he would see me. He always told me to go home and give my kids a hug and kiss for him. My husband thought the world of Ira as well because they had so much in common. He loved to go and visit with him too. Ira often spoke about his children and his late wife with such pride. Ira could sure cause a stir at the Christian Home (especially at meal time) but he really just loved to make people laugh. I usually roared with laughter at least twice during each visit with him. The Christian Home will not be the same without him there. He truly had an impact on my life and I will miss him so very much. I gave him a book to read called "Tuesdays with Morrie" because I felt that Ira would really relate to the teacher in the book. Ira really did relate to him and I just hope that I touched Ira''s life even half as much as he touched mine. With all the stories and laughter I shared with Ira, I could probably write a sequel. "Thursdays With Ira". I loved him like he was my grandpa and I will surely miss him so very much. There is no doubt why God put me in that home to work. He knew that I would meet Ira and that we would bring joy to eachother''s lives. I will see you in heaven someday Ira and I will give you the biggest hug and give you a caramel! May God continue to bless his loving family! You are all in my thoughts and prayers.