Benedict "Ben" L. Estel

Benedict "Ben" L. Estel Benedict "Ben" L. Estel, 88 of Luxemburg, died peacefully late Tuesday evening, April 04, 2017 surrounded by his family. He was born on July 26, 1928 in Green Bay to the late Peter and Caroline (Pauli) Estel. Ben served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1950 to 1952. On November 27, 1952 he married Elaine Shefchik at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pilsen. Together they ran a dairy farm in Luxemburg while Ben also was employed with the Luxemburg Post Office, retiring in December 1992. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Luxemburg, a member of the Holy Name Society and he attended Mass almost daily. He was a member of the American Legion Ralph Kline Post 262, Luxemburg for 56 years. He served as Color Guard for the American Legion. On September 11, 2014, Ben was honored with the opportunity to take a trip with The Old Glory Honor Flight to Washington D.C. In his spare time he enjoyed playing cards, bus trips, watching the Packers and Brewers, gardening especially potatoes and having breakfast at Village Kitchen with his friends. He loved spending time with his family. His pride and joy were his 19 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Elaine, and their eight children, Jerry (Sherrie) Estel, Dave (Lynne) Estel, Green Bay; Germaine (Richard) Wertel, Denmark; Darlene (Warren) DeGrand, Luxemburg; Marie (David) Salzsieder, Denmark; Jane Dorner (special friend Jerry Naze) Luxemburg; Jim Estel, Green Bay; Dan (Vicki) Estel, Luxemburg; 19 grandchildren, Brian Estel (special friend Mallory), Kari Estel (special friend Jon), Catie (Jason) Heimke, Adam (Kyleen) Wertel, Ben Wertel, Chrystl (Brian) Wallace, Lee (Sara) DeGrand, Michelle (Brandon) Cole, Vicky (Nathan) VandenBranden, Stacy Salzsieder, Scott Salzsieder, Sarah (Mike) Laurent, Karen (Chad) Rosenberg, Sharon (Don) Aregoni, Roxie (Chad) Mielke, Nathan Dorner, Tonya (Adam) Kane, Amanda Estel, Josh Estel; 11 great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert Estel, Green Bay; one sister and one brother in law, Betty and Don Ledvina, Green Bay; one sister in law, Mary Jo Shefchik, Luxemburg; many nieces and nephews. Ben was preceded in death by one daughter in law, Annette Estel; two brothers in law and three sisters in law, Raymond and Betty Estel, Peter and Alice Estel, Marcy Estel; four sisters and four brothers in law, Eleanor and Jake Wachal, Stacie and Frank Krines, Millie and Eben Vandeveld, Hildegarde and Norman Jonet, two brothers in law and one sister in law, Norbert Shefchik, Ronald and Marilyn Shefchik; his mother in law and father in law, Jacob and Katherine Shefchik. Friends may call 3:00 to 7:15 pm, Friday, April 07, 2017 at St. Mary Church, Luxemburg. American Legion Ralph Kline Post 262 service at 6:45 pm on Friday. Closing parish prayer service 7:15 pm. Visitation will continue between 9:00 and 10:30 am on Saturday, April 08, 2017 at St. Mary Church, Luxemburg. Funeral 10:45 am on Saturday with Rev. Milton Suess officiating. Full military rites to follow at the church. Entombment at the Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum, Green Bay. McMAHON FUNERAL HOME, LUXEMBURG, is assisting the Estel Family. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund will be established in Ben's name. The family would like to extend a Thank You to Father Milton Suess, the Luxemburg Fire and Rescue Department, the many health care providers that cared for our Dad over the past several years. A very special Thank You to all of our family and friends for offering us your support during this time. Dad, We love you and will miss you. So long until we meet again!