Pete Benner, 92

Peter "Pete" Benner, 92, of Coeur d'Alene, passed away Dec. 8, 2014, at his home.

Pete was born Jan. 16, 1922, in Colfax, Wash., to immigrant parents John and Elizabeth (Leinweber) Benner. The family of 12 moved to Spokane, Wash., when Pete was a young boy. He worked as a newspaper carrier and a busboy at the Davenport Hotel. He graduated from North Central High School.

Pete loved sports and played college baseball for Spokane Junior College and several semi-pro teams including the Hecla Miners. His plans with the Spokane Indians were interrupted when he enlisted in the Navy in March of 1942. By July of that year he was a Navy Pharmacist Mate 3rd Class. Then in 1945 he was awarded Chief Pharmacist Mate as well as the Asiatic-Pacific campaign award and Good Conduct Medal. He served for three years.

On April 9, 1944, Pete married his college sweetheart, Betty Jean Beale, in Santa Ana, Calif., with Betty's mom and fellow servicemen in attendance. Following the war the young couple lived in Spokane before moving to Clarkston, Wash. where Pete worked as a salesman for W.P. Fuller before opening his own glass and paint business, L & M, in Lewiston.

In 1956 Pete and Betty moved to Coeur d'Alene where he built, owned and operated

C & S Glass and Paint for 16 years. Eventually he sold his business, bought Montana Glass and Paint, and for six years made weekly work commutes between Coeur d'Alene and Missoula.

Pete was a member and served as an elder at First Presbyterian Church. When his children were growing up he was PTA president of Bryan Elementary School. He was a proud Rotarian and served as president of the Coeur d'Alene Rotary Club. He was a member of the Hayden Lake Country Club and was instrumental in the development of the Coeur d'Alene Public Golf Course. He always enjoyed golf and his gin rummy buddies. For a time Pete was considered the King of the Coeur d'Alene Club Gin Rummy Tournament. Twice he was Men's Coeur d'Alene Public Golf Club Champion and he felt privileged to have played golf with John Brodie and Sam Snead. Pete had seven verified hole-in-ones, and in his 80s he shot his age on numerous occasions.

He was preceded in death by his parents, nine siblings and his beloved great-grandbaby, Johnathan Reagan.

Pete is survived by his wife, Betty, at home; son Steve (Teresa) Benner of Coeur d'Alene; daughters Barbara (Gary) Everson, Mary Ann Roberge, and Becky (Rob) Reagan of Coeur d'Alene, and Bonnie (Terry) Baldwin of Missoula, Mont.; 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Pete requested no commemorative service, just a private gathering at home. He left a love letter to his wife and the following note to his family: "Love to all my grandchildren and to my wonderful, loving family. Grieve not. I am exactly where I want to be and all is well. You have been a real joy and pleasure in my life. Thank you and I hope to see you again."

Donations in Pete's memory can be made to First Presbyterian Church, Coeur d'Alene Rotary Club, or the Northwest SIDS Foundation.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements, and you may visit Pete's online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.