Steve Klinkhammer...October 10, 1954 - March 09, 2023

 

 https://meredithfuneralhome.com/obituaries/stephen-phillip-klinkhammer.142941

 

October 10, 1954 – March 09, 2023

Stephen Phillip Klinkhammer, 68, of Racine, Wisconsin passed away at home after several bouts of Covid, pneumonia and inoperable lung cancer.

Stephen was born in Racine on October 10, 1954, to Phillip H. and Faythe (Nee: Newton) Klinkhammer. Stephen was raised in Hancock, Michigan and graduated from Hancock High School in 1972. Stephen joined the Navy out of high school and served two tours in Vietnam. He was on the USS America (CVA66) in the Gulf of Tonkin when the war ended in 1973, and served again with Surgical Team 6, attached to the 2nd/9th Marines for the evacuation of refugees from Saigon in the spring and summer of 1975 setting up refugee camps and providing care for them in camps from the Philippines to Guam. 

 

After being honorably discharged in June 1976, Stephen attended UW Madison and UW Parkside obtaining a degree in Psychology and Interpersonal Communication. He interned at the Racine Underground Safe House (RUSH) where he met his bride to be. Stephen worked as a counselor until returning to the medical profession and becoming a registered nurse in 1981. His nursing career spanned 47 years and lead him to becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in 1995. A proud Mayo School of Health Sciences graduate Stephen worked in numerous anesthesia settings from government and military to academic and private practice. Stephen went on to obtain degrees in Management, a Master of Business Administration, Master of Nurse Anesthesia, and a Nursing Doctorate. Stephen was a nationally recognized simulationist and taught new generations of nurse anesthetists the tricks of the trade at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science as well as across the country via multiple conferences. One of his proudest achievements was being elected to the Board of Directors of the National Board for Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists.

Stephen married Rita Helen Bencriscutto on May 6, 1978, and together they produced 4 boys, Justin, Adam and identical twins Jordan and Zachary.

Stephen was preceded in death by his parents Phillip and Faythe, his brother Paul, his son Adam, granddaughter Harmony and in-laws Santo and Mary Bencriscutto.

Stephen was an accomplished musician and had been involved in the Racine music scene for over 40 years. Stephen was a co-founder of Thoughts for Food™, a benefit for the Racine County Food Bank. Stephen also co-founded a long running food event food event making and selling Pasty (a Flemish pastry with veggie and meat filling) with proceeds supporting local veterans and the Racine County Food Bank. 

 

Stephen was an active member of the veteran’s community with life memberships in the VFW 9948, VVA 767 and the Wisconsin Association of Concerned Veterans. He is past Commander of VFW Post 9948 and past President of Racine Area Veterans, Inc. Stephen was involved in the recent rehabilitation of the Racine Legacy Museum and Veterans Museum, bringing this historic landmark back to a rendition of its glory days.

Stephen was devoted to his family, his community, and the world at large. Number two was never good enough when number one was open. Science meant everything and Stephen based his decisions on the available facts. A somewhat difficult individual to get to know, first impressions always led to discovering the big teddy bear underneath that was willing to give all to make the world a better place. If there was a poster child for a dry sense of humor, Stephen would have been it.

Stephen is survived by his wife of 44 years Rita, his three sons, Justin, Jordan and Zachary, daughter-in-law Chris Fabio, Deanna Vorhes, Sammi Vorhes, grandchildren Destiny Klinkhammer, Faith Klinkhammer, Deacon Klinkhammer, great grandson Henry Marquis, Brother Eric Klinkhammer, sister-in-law Gail Klinkhammer and sister Susan Studebaker, In-laws Frank and Darlene Fabio, best friends Bill May, Rick Fink, and John Bowen, and of course his crazy, huge silver lab, Mia. Also surviving are brothers and sisters in law Bruce and DeDe Bencriscutto and Bill and Thanh Bencriscutto, nieces, nephews, and friends worldwide.

A private service will be held Wednesday, March 29, 1:00 PM. The service can be live-streamed and viewed by going to the funeral home’s web page, select Stephen’s page and select live-stream.

Interment with Military Honors will be held at the Southeast Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery on April 27th at 1pm.

Please….. no flowers. Stephen was not a flower guy. Any donations should be to Rita Klinkhammer and will be family directed from there.

The Klinkhammer family plans to hold a celebration of Stephen’s life late summer/early fall, all will be invited.

Stephen wishes peace and good music to all! He asks that you make a difference and enjoy a Pasty!

Thank you and God Bless!

 

The Nuclear Bencriscutto Family - Lives to Celebrate

Family,

This blog has not seen many posts over the past few years.  I was recently looking through some Bencriscutto archives and thought it might be time to change that.  

In our current social and cultural climate there seems to be a drift away from the importance of the family.  Hopefully we can avoid that by knowing, appreciating and keeping alive our family's history.

Above is a picture of the Bencriscutto nuclear family taken at the Spinning Wheel Restaurant in Racine, Wisconsin on the 50th wedding anniversary celebration of Nana and Nonno.

Pictured with them are from left to right (top): Santo, Louis, Irene, Fred, Mike, Toni, Frank and Vince.  The bottom row: Esther, Nana, Nonno and Rose.

Many sacrifices were made by Nana and Nonno so their ten children could take advantage of the opportunities this country provided to those who worked hard and committed themselves to success.

Clearly, the Bencriscutto children validated their parents' commitment to our family by their success and prosperity in America.

Remember and respect the commitment and success of the Bencriscuttos who have gone before us and know that 'family does matter'.

Fred Bencriscutto Jr.

Adeline Rose Bencriscutto (nee: Catapano)

 

 https://meredithfuneralhome.com/obituaries/adeline-rose-bencriscutto.141483

 https://meredithfuneralhome.com/obituaries/adeline-rose-bencriscutto.141483#memories

02-08-1925 to 10-12-2022

Adeline Bencriscutto (nee: Catapano), age 97, passed away on October 12, 2022 at the Ridgewood Care Center. She was born in Racine on February 8,1925 to Michael and Carmela (née Sanino) Catapano. She graduated from Horlick High School in 1943 and notably was elected by popular vote to all four class offices in her senior year. On August 17,1946 she married Louis Bencriscutto. 

Along with raising a family, she never had an idle moment. With her can-do personality, she took on a remarkable array of projects over the years. She could easily be found doing anything from reupholstering her dining room chairs to covering her shoes with fabric to match a dress. A childhood toy stove led to a lifetime love for cooking but her talents weren’t realized until she began working at The Spinning Wheel Supper Club. With just a housewife’s background, she created a popular lunch buffet and took on banquets and special parties to great success, eventually managing the whole kitchen. In later years while spending winters in Florida, she pursued many interests from line dancing to bridge in between reading every book she could get her hands on. She continued her cooking, though, and became well known for her dinner parties. 

 Adeline is survived by her children, Richard, Denise, and Ralph (Rhoda); grandchildren, Emily, Louis (Amy Urban), Sydney (Taylor), Raphael, Dalton (Jennifer) Martin, Lauren (Alex) Bissegger; greatgrandchildren, Sophie, Amelia, James, and Isla Bencriscutto, Sebastian Martin, and Benjamin and Henry Bissegger; brother Michael Catapano (Louise Urdialis); Sister-in-law Antoinette Nilo. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; brothers Joe, Ralph, and Maurice, and sister Lucy Rudelich, Mike and Martha Bencriscutto, Fred and Irene Bencriscutto, Santo and Mary Bencriscutto, Frank and Jean Bencriscutto, Vincent and Jane Bencriscutto, Irene and Herman Porcaro, Esther and Dante Renzoni, Rosalie and Ray Pulda, and Ernest Nilo. In her memory, we hope you will hold your glass in toast to her while enjoying your next great meal. Services will be private. 

 

This post is to mark the passing of one of the youngest of the original Bencriscutto clan, Rose Pulda. She will be missed.

https://meredithfuneralhome.com/obituaries/rosalie-c-pulda.141103

Rosalie C Pulda, 91, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, went to be with the Lord, September 7th, 2022.

Rose was born in Racine on October 30,1930, daughter of the late Gregorio and Catherine (nee: DeRose) Bencriscutto. She attended school at Sacred Heart and Horlick High School. On July 5th, 1952 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, she was united in marriage to Raymond S. Pulda who preceded her in death on February 1st, 2015.

Rose was a woman of great faith and strong prayer. She was a devoted wife and mother, raising five children. She enjoyed and supported her children in all their endeavors, especially their athletic activities.

Rose loved her big Italian family and heritage. She was an active member of the Vittoria Colonna at Roma Lodge, where she volunteered at many of their festivals. Rosie loved shopping, golfing, bowling, playing cards, puzzles, bingo, and various crafts.

Rose enjoyed the time she spent living in Mesa, Arizona, making wonderful friends and memories. In 2018, she returned to Racine, residing at St. Monica’s Senior Living Community, where she spent her remaining years surrounded by loving family which included 13 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.

Rose is survived by her children and grandchildren: Jeff (Debbie) Pulda of Racine, Brian, Cori (Nate) Wiedrich, and Amy (Steve) Tajnai; Tom (Peggy) Pulda of Racine, Greg (Amanda), Kristen (Jared) Pedersen, Brittany (T.J.) Bodnar, Alissa (Mike) Bergmann, Josh (McKenna); JoAnn (Dan) Huck of Delafield, Mary (Jon) Palmer, Steve (Laura), Anna (Nate) Smudde; Corine (Dean) Lucich of Reno, Nevada, Matt (Andrea), Ciera; Mary (Anne Boettcher) Pulda of Tucson, Arizona; 27 great grandchildren, sister Toni Nilo of Ohio and sister-in-law Adeline Bencriscutto of Racine, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Rose is preceded in death by her brothers: Santo (Mary), Vince (Jane), Louis, Mike (Martha), Fred (Irene), Frank (Jean) Bencriscutto; sisters, Irene (Herman) Porcaro, Esther (Dante) Renzoni, and brother-in-law Ernie Nilo.

Rose will be remembered for her loving, caring, and generous nature. We will always remember her smile, laughter, fun-loving and witty personality.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 13th at 12 noon at St. Edwards Catholic Church, 1401 Grove Avenue, Racine. Friends and relatives may meet with the family on Monday, September 12th at Maresh-Meredith Funeral Home, 803 Main Street, Racine from 4pm until 7pm (Vittoria Colonna Service 6:00 pm), and Tuesday at the church from 11 until 11:45 am..

The Pulda Family extends their sincere gratitude to all those at St. Monica's who showed our Rosie compassion, care, joy, and love.

 

A WONDERFULLY GIFTED FAMILY!

The original Bencriscutto nuclear family was blessed with a variety of talents.  We all know about the musical prowess that exists in our DNA.  Athletics is another obvious attribute that the family shared.

My research unearthed the attached letter regarding Fred's excellence in athletics during his three years at Horlick High School.  Most of us can appreciate the level of athleticism necessary to win nine varsity letters in three years at a large public high school, like Horlick, where the athletic completion was formidable.

For Fred, athletics, combined with academics, evolved into a lifetime of teaching, coaching and mentoring. Clearly, the Bencriscutto family provided a solid foundation for Fred.

Fred returned from WWII to pursue what he loved, teaching, coaching and athletics.  He enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and won two varsity letters in both basketball and golf.  He was a 1951 graduate with academic honors.  Below are pictures from Fred's years at Madison.

Not long ago, Rick shared an article about the meaning of the name 'Bencriscutto'.  Fred is only one example of how appropriate that meaning is.  Truly, the Bencriscutto family was 'well reared'!

The Bencriscutto family earned their part of the 'American Dream'.

 

This picture was among the memorabilia my dad (Fred) had in a photo album which includes (right to left) Uncle Dante, Aunt Esther, Fred, Uncle Louis and Aunt Adeline - I think. I can use some help from my cousins to double check my identifications!

The picture was obviously taken after the men were back from serving in World War II.  I'm not sure where or when. Maybe someone can fill in a few more details regarding the picture. What a great looking family!

The picture above is of my dad and big brother Vince.  It was taken in Texas while my dad was in advanced artillery training prior to him being deployed to Europe to fight the Axis.  Vince was stationed in Texas at the time and I believe it's where he met Jane.  The rest, of course, is history. 

The photo above is from the Racine Journal an it recognizes the five Bencriscutto brothers who served their country during the Second World War.  

Not many families gave more to guarantee the future of this nation than did ours.  Let's never lose sight of that sacrifice and commitment.  And, let's not forget that these boys were the sons of Italian immigrant parents!  

Clearly, my Grandma and Grandpa instilled in all their children a love and respect for their country.  We can only hope that the sacrifice of the Bencriscutto brothers and family would serve as a model for the members of our contemporary American culture.

From Blake Avenue in Racine to Belgium, Germany, Czechoslovakia and The Nuremberg Trials.

While researching my dad's (Fred) WWII service I found these two documents.  

Initially, Fred was deployed to the European Theater as a member of the First Infantry Division, 26th Regiment, Battery B 953 Field Artillery Battalion.  He was a forward observer, responsible for sighting in and directing his battery's fire against enemy targets.

When the war in Europe ended in May of 1945, Fred was assigned to the force of American soldiers tasked with guarding the Nazi leaders who were being prosecuted as war criminals at the War Crimes Trials in Nuremberg, Germany.

Pictured are his I.D. card and area pass for the prison compound at Nuremberg that housed the accused Nazi prisoners of war.  As a sergeant, Fred was responsible for a detail of American soldiers who were in constant supervision of those interned at the prison for trial.

Like many WWII veterans, Fred didn't speak much about his experiences as a 19 year old fighting the Nazis in Europe.  Liker his older brothers Santo, Vince, Louis and Mike, Fred honorably and ably represented the Bencriscutto family and served our country with valor during World War II.

I would love to have attached a picture of the German field binoculars Fred was given by one of the Nazi officers he was responsible for while at the prison at Nuremberg.  That's not possible because I left those binoculars on a CTA bus while on the way home from Wrigley Field at age 14.  Needless to say, my dad wasn't too pleased about my close up look at the game.