George G. Benner

George Gerald Benner, 82, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed peacefully at St. Luke’s Hospice House on April 16, 2023. Born April 25, 1940, George was the firstborn of four children to parents George and Geraldine Benner. He grew up in the close-knit St. Louis community, was an altar boy regularly serving early morning mass, and engaged in grand childhood adventures involving fort-building, swamp exploration, sledding Art Hill, and all manner of athletic games.

A lifelong learner, George studied for the priesthood for thirteen years, earned two master’s degrees, and was a doctoral candidate. He taught Latin at De Andreis High School in St. Louis and then devoted himself to developing adult education and literacy courses in two parishes there. This led to time with The Human Development Corporation and a partnership with the University of Missouri. George worked at the University of Hawaii for a year before returning to the Midwest to marry Mary Ann, with whom he had 49 wonderful years.

George careered with the federal government for 35 years, teaching management and team building in the Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Agriculture, and the Federal Aviation Agency.

Beloved by many, George was wise, caring, and poetic – living with deep inquisitiveness and intelligence. He was a natural teacher and thoughtful listener, possessing the uncanny ability to make those around him genuinely feel seen and heard. He wore his heart on his sleeve much more than he knew, adeptly adapting to change and supporting and standing up for those closest to him.

For two decades, George went tent camping every January, no matter the weather, with buddies dubbed The Henpecked Husbands. He and Mary Ann enjoyed many travels together, and he treasured golfing and geocaching with dear friends. George practiced contemplative prayer for many years with Mary Ann through groups like The Mystic Misfits, the St. Francis Meditation Group, and his Enneagram community.

He always wanted to “see how it worked,” whether by taking apart a handheld radio in elementary school, rebuilding a VW engine, or engaging in prayer and conversation with God. Our dear George has returned to where he began, and true to himself, he’s doing the research for us.

George was predeceased by his parents, George and Geraldine Benner, and sister Nancy Benner. He is lovingly survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Ann, his brother Richard Benner (Linda), sister Lee Benner Kenagy (Richard), and many nieces and nephews. The gift of George’s life will continue to be a blessing to all fortunate to have known him.  

Services are being held for George on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church (1001 E. 52nd Street, Kansas City, MO 64110). Visitation will be at 10:00 AM, followed by a Special Prelude and Funeral Mass beginning at 10:45 AM.  Burial will immediately follow at Highland Cemetery (5100 W. 65th Street, Prairie Village, KS, 66208). Afterward, friends and family are invited to a reception at Grand Street Cafe (8815 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, KS, 66219). The family welcomes memorial contributions to Cornerstones of Care-Gillis Campus, St. Francis Xavier Justice & Life Committee and Food Pantry, or a charity of your choice in lieu of flowers. 

https://cornerstonesofcare.org/ways-to-help/Honors-and-Memorials

https://www.sfx-kc.org/justice-life/justice-life-committee/

https://www.sfx-kc.org/food-pantry/