Kari L. Behnke

Kari Lynn Behnke (Johnson), age 51, passed away peacefully on Sunday March 16th, 2025, in her home surrounded by her husband and children. She was born on November 16th 1973, in Watertown, WI and was the daughter to Robert and Marion Johnson (Wittnebel). She married the love of her life, Rick Behnke, on September 9th , 2000. Together they celebrated over 25 years of marriage as soul mates and brought 3 amazing children into this world. They settled in McFarland, WI for the past 25 years.

Kari worked as a Purchasing Manager at Marquip and Bruker AXS Madison before settling in at TruStage (Cuna) in Madison where she worked 20 years. She held a variety of positions at TruStage before moving up to Sr. Operations Manager. She went back to school to earn her bachelor’s degree at Cardinal Stritch University while also working full time and raising two young children at the time. Earning that degree was a very proud moment for her. She was a proven leader and a career minded woman. Her co-workers enjoyed being part of Kari’s team and leadership. Her intelligence and keen sense of seeing things 20/20 in the moment made her a vital part of TruStage’s strategic vision. Her professional career was very important to her. Her ability to balance that professional career and being a dedicated mom was amazing.

Kari enjoyed many activities including softball, volleyball, bowling, and bags. Anything that would include being part of a team and a social environment. Later in life she especially loved sitting with friends over a glass of wine. She had a natural way about herself in which everyone around her simply enjoyed being with her. She very much enjoyed the family’s annual trip to the Chippewa Flowage in Hayward along with the many trips to Las Vegas with her husband. She always had a beautiful smile that continued into the last hours of her life. An amazing sense of humor and an incredible laugh.

Kari was so proud of her children. They were her life. She never missed any school activities they were in along with all the various sporting events they participated in. Endless hours on the sideline of a soccer game, or in the stands for a football, basketball, or baseball game. She was proud to be a softball coach for her daughter. She had so much strength and courage that her children will carry on with.

She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Rick; her daughter Payton; sons Raymond and Truman; Brothers Ken Johnson and Kurt (Rhonda) Johnson. Father in-law Ron Behnke; Brother in-laws Mike (Mindy) Behnke, Mark (Jill) Behnke; nephew Jeremy Johnson, and niece Kara (Jake) Hagen (Johnson); aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father Robert Johnson and mother Marion Johnson (Wittnebel); Mother In-Law Diane Behnke (Halverson); Sister Raquel.

Kari’s wishes are to have a small private family funeral. The family will host a celebration of Kari's life to be held at the American Legion in McFarland on Sunday April 13th from 1pm-4pm.  There will be live music, food, and a cash bar.   Bring your smiles and your stories!

She would like to be cremated with some of her ashes spread at places that she enjoyed including Hayward, Las Vegas, Aruba, and various sentimental areas. The balance of ashes will be kept in keepsake bracelets for her husband and children so they will be together always.

The family will donate any memorials to the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center along with the American Legion SAL Post 534 in McFarland. Memorial donations can be made in person at the Celebration of Life event on Sunday April 13th at the McFarland American Legion or can be mailed to:

Behnke Family

c/o Cress Funeral Home,

PO Box 105,

McFarland, WI 53558

The family would like to thank Dr. Robert Hegeman, Oncologist, UW Carbone Cancer Center. Dr. Rob is the most professional, experienced, and knowledgeable person we could ask for. We developed deep trust and friendship with Dr Rob over these last few years. His empathy and caring helped greatly along the journey. He is truly doing the Lord’s work.

Special thank you to Nurse Sandi at UW Carbone. Sandi was Kari’s treatment nurse originally 9 years ago and then again for these past 2+ years. Such a nice and professional person. We were so lucky to have her twice.

Kari lived with cancer rather than dying from it. She chose to get busy living rather than get busy dying. She chose living in pain so she could be with her children for another day. She is our hero. Our warrior. Our Queen.

Your love, hugs, kisses, laughter and smile will be long remembered. You will be greatly missed. Rest easy my Queen. We will soon be together again. Peace. Love. Hope.

“What we have once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”

-Helen Keller

Cress Funeral Service

5801 Hwy 51, P O Box 105, McFarland, WI 53558

608-838-0655