Stanley J. Benis, Jr., 64

Stanley Joseph Benis, Jr., also known as Bud, passed away Saturday, September 4, 2021, at the age of 64. His passing was a tremendous loss for his family, friends, and the community.
Stan Benis was born December 21, 1956, in Omaha, Nebraska. He was the youngest of three children. He and his two sisters grew up in a home attached to their family's South Omaha business, Benis Florist. After graduating as part of the first graduating class at Gross Catholic High School, he began a wonderful career in the local entertainment industry.
Throughout his nearly 50-year career, Stan held various roles at event centers such as Civic Auditorium, Qwest Center, TD Ameritrade Park, and Ralston Arena. This exciting career allowed him to have a positive impact on the lives of many employees, fans, coaches, and players.
He headed up major concerts, comedians, and a variety of other performers. He loved sharing stories with his family and friends about all the interesting people he met through work - one of his favorites being the time he rode with Elvis Presley to the airport to change his pants after they tore prior to his concert at the Civic Auditorium.
Stan had many passions in life, one of which was baseball. Between coaching little league, building baseball fields, and watching his children and grandchildren play, Stan loved the game, the purity of the sport spoke to him. He was a student of the game and anyone that had the pleasure to talk to him knew it. Stan took great pride in coaching his children, Ryan and Jodi, and grandson, Coby. He began coaching the Omaha Grover A’s in 1983 and remained involved in the organization until 2016, when he coached his grandson, Coby on the Omaha Greys. Stan along with his close friend Mike Wees coached and won Little League state titles with his son, Ryan, in 1990 and 1991. He played a key role in advancing Grover Little League into the USSSA organization. He was a motivator that influenced so many young players’ lives through his coaching. Even after retiring from coaching, Stan was known to be at all his grandson’s baseball games. With his grandpa's leadership and family support, Coby made the American Legion varsity summer team his freshman year at Creighton Prep. To Stan, this was one his greatest accomplishments of his career, along with being the most meaningful. Through his loud cheers and signature whistling, Stan made his presence known at the ball field for the ones he loved to watch.
As well as being an influential member in the Little League and USSSA baseball worlds, Stan played a vital role in helping run the College World Series. During his time with the CWS, he made many lifelong friendships, none more important to him than the one with Augie Garrido. They had a special bond that spanned well beyond the baseball field.
Along with baseball, Stan loved watching any sport if his kids or grandkids were playing! He was often found on the sidelines, whistling, and cheering them on. He enjoyed watching his stepson, Austin, play high school football at Millard West and college football at Midland University. He also loved watching his grandson, Carson, play football and baseball. He was a busy man with a full schedule, but always made his kids and grandkids feel important and supported.
As a member of the Board of Directors at Horsemen’s Park for 18 years, Stan was involved with the horse racing industry and loved handicapping and betting on horses with his friends. He also loved visiting his wife’s family at Prairie Meadows to watch their horse’s race.
Stan and his soulmate, Christy, shared an unconditional love. They were married in 2015 in a beautiful ceremony on Smathers Beach in Key West, Florida, surrounded by family and friends. It was a spectacular moment in their “happy place” that meant so much to both of them. Together, they spent many wonderful vacations in Key West, a place considered to be their second home. Stan and Christy, along with their family and friends, made so many special memories that will last forever and always. Stan and Christy spent many memorable weekends at the lake with his best friends Mike, Czyz, Doug and numerous other close friends. Stan had an extremely emotional bond with his friends, and they knew he would do anything and everything for the people he cared about. Stan enjoyed nothing more than his garage parties, everyone was invited. There was not a shortage of TV’s in the house as there was 5 of them in the garage. Followed by a night of playing his song challenge game, which he would always win due to his fast knowledge of the music world. Every night they would end their day relaxing in their backyard paradise. Stan and Christy customized their deck to mimic Key West as much as possible to include palms, water fountains and loud music (which of course at times didn’t sit well with neighbors). Stan went above and beyond as a husband. Christy felt continuous love and support from him. He showed her love by gifting her fresh flowers and cards weekly, sending her charming emojis throughout the day to make her laugh, and coming up with special gestures only her and him understood. Stan preached the importance of continuing to do the small things for your partner and how this was how him and Christy stayed in the puppy love phase for their entire marriage. He made Christy feel beautiful every day, even on the days that she was feeling less than (the mornings after spending the day with friends at Beaver Lake). This was a marriage everyone that spent time with them could feel their radiating love. Stan never let Christy feel that she was less than the most special woman on earth, and she did the same for him. He was the kind of husband that ended every conversation with an “I love you” even if it was brief. Their love inspired all those that they encountered.
Stan and Christy adored the addition to their family 8 years ago, Jake and Kita. Their extremely loving, well behaved, energetic Goldendoodles. Jack and Kita are spitting image of their parents. They treated them as if they were their own children, and had many special moments teaching them new tricks, and playing with them.

Stan is preceded in death by parents Stanley, Sr. and Lorraine (Schwer). Survived by loving wife Christy; children Ryan (Besty) Benis, Lyssa Benis (Justin Hatcher), Jodi (Robert) Edwards; stepchildren Sydny (Zach Leinbaugh), Austin Harris (Abbey Schiemann); grandchildren Christian, Coby, Carson, Taylor, Ciara and Wrigley; sisters Karen Zieg, Lynnette (Tony) Ivaskevicius; dearest friends Mike Hanson, John Czyz, Doug Madsen; and many loving nieces and nephews and friends.


Family suggests to support your local florist or memorials to Creighton Prep Baseball Program.


A luncheon at the Croation Cultural Society Hall (8711 South 36th Street - Bellevue) will follow the interment.