Cory James Benavides, age 33, of Eau Claire WI, found peace on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at Sacred Heart Hospital.  Cory was born May 8, 1989, to Rhonda Olson in Eau Claire WI.  He graduated from North High School in 2008.

Cory’s goal was to return to school and work in the field of information technology.  Computer programming and gaming have been lifelong passions of Cory’s as was evident by the numerous screens attached to his computer system.  He enjoyed sharing this love for gaming with his nephew Liam and was patient while Liam was “teaching” Cory how to play.  Cory was in the process of moving south where it is warmer, and he could play Frisbee golf year-round.  Cory has always been a star who did not fit into society’s square peg.  Those he allowed to see his sensitive side can attest to the love Cory had in his heart to give and the infectious laughter he spread to those around him. 

Cory is survived by his mother Rhonda Olson, sister Savannah Burkart, and nephew Liam Burkart of Eau Claire; daughters Piper and Elizabeth; father Mark Belknap (Tracy) of Hixson, TN along with Mark’s children Brandon, Aaron, Jason and Kiliegh; stepfather Timothy Benavides of Rice Lake; grandparents Dennis and Sharon Olson of Eleva; special friend Dianna De Silvio; and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Cory’s final act was being able to donate his heart, kidneys, liver, pancreas, and lungs to save the lives of five recipients in four states.  This service was coordinated by the University of Wisconsin Organ and Tissue Donation (UW OTD) service.

A very special thank you goes out to Cory's skilled team of nurses at Sacred Heart Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.  We deeply appreciate the respect, hard work, and gentle care they provided him.  They made it possible for Cory to leave behind a positive legacy while helping his family through this very painful journey.

A Celebration of Life or private gathering will be determined at a later, much warmer date per Cory’s preference.  Thank you to the staff at the Cremation Society of Wisconsin in Altoona for assisting the family.  To share a memory, please visit their obituaries at https://www.cremationsociety-wi.com/obituaries.  In lieu of flowers or plants, a “Cory's donation to UW OTD fund” has been set up under Rhonda C. Olson’s name at Royal Credit Union.   

“The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy.” ~ Kalu Ndukwe Kalu