Alan Edward Benzkofer

Alan Edward Benzkofer, age 89, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 31, 2026, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Born on July 9, 1937, in Spirit Lake, Iowa, Al was the son of Edward and Denise (Aldred) Benzkofer.

Al graduated from Milford High School (now Okoboji High School) in 1955 and later attended Estherville Community College, where he earned a two-year business degree in 1957. A talented athlete, he played football throughout both his high school and college years.

Following graduation, Al began a distinguished career with the Minnesota Department of Transportation in Mankato, Minnesota, serving as a surveyor for 37 years before retiring in 1999. Throughout his career, he contributed to many significant transportation projects that helped shape southern Minnesota, including the original construction of Interstate 90 near Blue Earth, where the final golden-colored concrete section was joined in 1978; the Veterans Memorial Bridge, completed in 1986; and the Northstar Bridge interchange project, completed in 1992.

Al’s greatest accomplishment began in December 1962 when he married the love of his life, Elizabeth “Liz” Rabe, in Spring Park, Minnesota. Their story began at Lake Okoboji in Iowa, where friendship blossomed into a lifelong romance. Together they built a loving home in Mankato and raised four children: Alan Jr. (Beth) Benzkofer, Debra (Todd) Weber, Brett (Jodie) Benzkofer, and Beth (Benzkofer) Kozitza.

Family was always at the center of Al’s life. He was a gifted woodworker whose craftsmanship lives on in treasured furniture pieces throughout the homes of his children and grandchildren. He generously shared his talents by helping family members build, remodel, and improve their homes. He loved gathering around the dinner table with family, vacationing in Okoboji, spending time with his siblings, cheering on the Minnesota Vikings, and attending Minnesota State Wrestling Tournaments to support Alan, Brett, Jake, and Lincoln.

Al also took great pride in helping bring the Okoboji Clothing Company to life by assisting with construction of the store, as well as helping upgrade and expand the family cabin. One of his favorite traditions was picking up Liz from work at Okoboji Clothing Company in the golf cart and making a stop at Pirate Jack’s on the lakefront to enjoy a refreshing cocktail together.

A faithful member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato, Al lived a life marked by hard work, devotion to family, generosity, and quiet faith. He will be remembered for his steady presence, strong work ethic, skilled hands, and unwavering love for those closest to him.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Elizabeth; his children, Alan J. (Beth) Benzkofer, Debra (Todd) Weber, Brett (Jodie) Benzkofer, and Beth Kozitza; grandchildren, Jake Benzkofer, Grace and Zach (Hillesheim) Benzkofer, Lincoln Benzkofer, Charlie Benzkofer, Ethan Benzkofer, Jessica (Reed) Samuelson, Nicholas (Megan) Kreinbring, Zachary (Emma) Benzkofer, Laura (Garrett) Mennenga, and Anna Benzkofer (Luke); and great-grandchildren, Olivia Benzkofer, Bentley Samuelson, Adalyn Samuelson, Harper Kreinbring, Hadley Kreinbring, Graham Benzkofer, and Owen Mennenga.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Denise Benzkofer; his parents-in-law, William Rabe II, Dorothy Rabe, and Esther Rabe; sister, Anna Benzkofer; brothers, Robert, Philip, and Richard Benzkofer; brothers-in-law, William “Beaver” Rabe III, Bill Friedhoff, and Jack Wallraff; sisters-in-law, Mary Jane Friedhoff and Janice Wallraff; and his beloved grandson, Calvin Joseph Benzkofer Willaert.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the physicians, nurses, and staff of Mayo Clinic, especially the caregivers on the fourth floor of the new wing, for their compassionate and personal care during Al’s final days.

Al’s legacy lives on through the family he cherished, the communities he helped build, and the many lives he touched through his kindness, craftsmanship, and unwavering devotion.