Bennie L. Bryson, age 86, of East Dubuque, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Stonehill Health Center.  To celebrate Bennie’s life, family and friends may visit from 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, where memories of Bennie will be shared at 6:30 p.m.  Burial will be in East Dubuque Cemetery.

Bennie was born on July 18, 1939, in Slater, Missouri the son of Sam and Catherine (Fizer) Bryson.

Bennie was employed in repair and assembly with John Deere Dubuque Works for 30 years, until his retirement in 1988.  He learned many skills during that time, and put his knowledge to good use meticulously fixing things for others.  Bennie had an appreciation for vintage automobiles, and has restored several throughout the years.  He married the love of his life, Jean Ball, on April 11, 1959, in Dubuque.  They were an amazing couple who celebrated 64 wedding anniversaries together before Jean passed away in 2023.  Bennie was always involved with his community.  He was a long time member of Wesley United Methodist Church, as well as the Local 94 Retirees.  At a young age, his love of music led him to learn to play by ear from watching his father.  Bennie became a talented guitar player who performed with several bands throughout the years in the Tri-State area.  He also volunteered and played at Stonehill, and when Jean became a resident there, he visited her religiously everyday, even if there was a snow storm that day.  For several years, Bennie and Jean wintered at Bit-O-Heaven R.V. Park in Texas, where he happily played his guitar for their fellow snowbirds, and helped out with the cooking.  He and Jean were fishing fanatics who loved to share their catch with others.  They also enjoyed spending time with the family at their cottage at River of Lakes in Bagley, Wisconsin.  Family was always the most important part of Bennie’s life.  He adored his wife and children and was an excellent role model of what a loving husband and father should be.  Bennie was one of a kind, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Those left to cherish Bennie’s memory include

his children,
Kim Vondal, East Dubuque, IL,
Jeffrey Bryson, Dubuque, IA
and Kevin (Maria) Bryson, Dubuque, IA;

8 grandchildren,
Crystal (Brooke) Vondal, Jeremy (Sabrina) Vondal, Joshua (Stephanie) Vondal, Courtney Christianson, Chloe Bryson, Cassie (Luke) Roth, Ashley (Joe) Biedermann and Mitchell (Stacey) Bryson;

16 great-grandchildren;

his brother,
Eugene Bryson, Bellevue, IA;

a brother-in-law,
LaVerne Ball, Dubuque, IA;

and his nieces and nephews.

Bennie was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jean Bryson; a brother, Ronnie Bryson; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Raymond and Alma Ball.

Bennie’s family would like to thank Dr. Cao, and the nurses and staff of Stonehill and Hospice of Dubuque for their wonderful care.

Cards and memorials in Bennie’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Bennie Bryson Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com