During his formative years, Dean was influenced by the affection of his parents, Lawrence and Elaine Benn (Bredlau), as well as his older brother Dennis Benn and younger sister Nona (Rob) Claybaugh. Dean was born in Jackson, Wisconsin, on December 3, 1959. His family relocated to West Bend, Wisconsin, when he was seven years old, and it was there that he made friendships that would last a lifetime. After some time had passed, he became the proud parent of a second older brother named Preston (Kim) Mangan.
Following his graduation from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 1985, Dean moved to Arizona to be with his father, mother, and sister. It was there that his journey began to unfold with purpose, which ultimately led him to a successful 35-year career with McLane Company Inc., where he finally rose to the position of Vice President of Grocery Distribution. It was a professional activity for him to exercise leadership, and it was a demonstration of his belief in empowering others and the nurturing of his McLane family for him.
Dean’s day was driven by the camaraderie he shared with his coworkers, and he made a lot of truly wonderful friends. His employment with McLane carried him from Arizona to Texas to Kentucky and then back to Texas. Due to the desire to be closer to his family, he relocated to Tucson, Arizona, in November of 2023. Beyond the domain of professional endeavors, Dean’s devotion was boundless. The appellation “The 3 Amigo’s” was given to him because he was a fervent motorsports enthusiast who attended the Indianapolis 500 for almost 40 years.
His international excursions with his brother Dennis and close buddy Ken became cherished traditions, and they became known as “The best of friends.” His mischievous demeanor and everlasting sense of humor, which were influenced by his friends, relatives, and his own creative abilities, made every room feel more upbeat. He expressed his intention to “go to heaven laughing” even in his dying days, and he continued to embrace life with laughter during those final days.
Dean, a devoted Lutheran, placed a high emphasis on his faith, his family, and the relationships that bind us together. His relationship with God served as the impetus for a significant number of the choices he made during his life and in his day-to-day activities. Immediately following this was his affection for his mother, as well as his desire to take care of her and provide her happiness. The laughter and wonderful times that were shared over a glass of wine or a cocktail were something that Dean, his sister Nona, and her husband Rob cherished a great deal. In his role as an uncle, he never missed a moment in the life of his nephew Jantzen and his wife Jodi.
Additionally, he found great joy in the photographs and stories of his great-nephews, Jaxon and Julian. Dean’s resiliency was put to the test when his father, Larry Benn, passed away in 2008. However, he continued to carry forward a heritage of compassion, work ethic, generosity, and commitment to family that would have made his father proud. After the death of his cherished brother Dennis in 2022, Dean was left with an everlasting impression. Dennis and Dean were not only brothers, but they were also close friends.
As we say our goodbyes to Dean, let us not forget the joy, the warmth, and the deep impact that a life well-lived had on us. The loss of this individual serves as a potent reminder to treasure the things that are most significant and to discover thankfulness in each day that passes. We pray that he finds eternal serenity in paradise, where he is encircled by the unending delight that comes from God’s divine joy.
