Ronald W. Benne, 74, of Columbia, passed away Wednesday, September 13th with his wife and children by his side. A celebration of life will be held Thursday, September 28th, 2023 at Columbia Country Club 2210 Country Club Drive, between 5pm and 8pm.
Ron was born August 31, 1949 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City, MO to Robert and Margaret (Sanning) Benne. He attended Immaculate Conception in his youth, and graduated from Helias High School in 1967. Through High School, he worked at Gerbes where he met his wife, Jo Ann (Rottmann) Benne when she asked him where the pork tenderloins were and “hurry up”. He was intrigued by her forwardness and pushed a co-worker out of the way to bag her groceries. They dated for 6 years, while Ron completed his education at Lincoln University. They married June 12th 1971 and moved to Columbia, where Ron continued to work for Gerbes until he secured a job at MFA Oil in accounts receivable. After 28 years of employment at MFA, he retired in 1999 as Vice President of Information Technology. After playing golf all summer, he took a job at Hyundai selling cars and later worked for Marathon Building Environments as office manager until age 62 when he permanently retired. After retirement, Ron enjoyed many rounds of golf, wintering in Arizona, woodworking, piddling around on his tractor, gardening - where his attempts to feed his family quickly turned into a buffet for wildlife instead, and spending the rest of his spare time with his grandkids.
He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann; children, Melissa (Dwight) Koga of Columbia and Chris (Beth) Benne of Ashland; grandchildren, Zachary & Alexa Koga and Taylor & Carson Benne; siblings, Paul (Rose) Benne of Excelsior Springs, Mary Benne of Columbia, Shelley (Keith) Duncan of Jefferson City and Larry (Sandy) Benne of Jefferson City; numerous nieces and nephews and a loving extended family, and his miniature dachshund, Ginger. He was preceded in death by his parents.
To honor Ron’s memory the family suggests that you play a round of golf and “count every stroke”, live life to the fullest and that you hug your loved ones a little tighter for a little longer. In place of flowers, you may donate to the charity of your choice in Ron’s name.
Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5