Bennett Katz

Bennett Charles (Ben) Katz, 90, of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, died Sunday, June 17, 2012. He was born May 12, 1922 in Chicago to Sam and Lena Katz.

Ben served in the US Army in World War II in the European Front where he was awarded numerous medals, most notably the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in action and the Bronze Star for bravery, acts of merit and meritorious service in an armed conflict.

Upon his discharge from the Army, Ben followed his father's footsteps and began a career in the produce industry. He initially worked in Chicago with the firm of Cohen & Gordon before moving to Stevens Point in 1963 to join his brother, Eugene (Gene), specializing in the potato business with I. Zacks & Sons of Iron Mountain, Michigan. The two bothers founded the Katz Company, a potato brokerage firm, in Plover in 1969.

In addition to his career in the produce business, Ben was actively engaged in his community. He sat on the boards of the First National Bank of Stevens Point (now M&I), the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Foundation, Mt. Sinai Congregation in Wausau, Portage County Community Foundation, and the Stevens Point Country Club. Ben's understanding and support reached from local to national and international organizations. His views were educated and his support broad and tireless.

Ben was predeceased in death by his beloved brother and sister-in-law Gene and Betty Katz of Plover and is survived by his nephews and their wives, Rick and Fran of Miami, Florida, and Paul and Debora of Stevens Point, as well as their children, Julie of Miami, Sam of Stevens Point, Alex (Erin) of New Orleans, and Micah of Madison. He will be missed by friends, family members, and community.

A funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 22, 2012, at Mt. Sinai Congregation, 910 West Randolph St., Wausau, with Rabbi Dan Danson officiating. Visitation for family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow in Wausau Hebrew Cemetery.
You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.

In lieu of flowers, Ben's family encourages his friends to follow his example of helping others by making a memorial donation to the charity of your choice.