Louis James Benning

Lou was a beloved husband, father, grandfather (“Pops”) and great-grandfather.

Besides his family, his greatest achievement was his flying career. He proudly served in the Army, earning his pilot wings at Ft. Rucker, AL in 1961. He went on to fly the U-8 in Stuttgart, Germany. After leaving the military, he had an illustrious career as a Delta captain for 37 years, retiring in June 1997.

Lou was frequently described as larger than life. He was loud, lovable and often found laughing. Nothing made him happier than a glass of red wine, a karaoke machine (his song choice: Elvis’ An American Trilogy), his 1963 Studebaker Avanti and, most importantly, his family. He was incredibly proud of his daughters and five grandsons.

He will be deeply missed by his wife, CA Benning; his daughters, Rhonda (Craig) Bergstrom, Denise (Chris) Bahrke; his grandsons: Erik (Katherine), Jack and Blake Bergstrom, CJ and Bradley Bahrke; and his great-grandchildren, Lucy and James Bergstrom. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret Marie Benning (d. 2000); his daughter, Karen Louise Benning (d. 1993) and his sister, Rosemary Plesmid (d. 2005).