Gene Neitzel of Albert Lea was out shopping with his wife, Diane, one day when he took a rest on a bench while his wife continued to shop. As he waited, a child walked up to Neitzel and plopped onto his lap. Pretty soon there were two more kids waiting to sit on Neitzel’s lap and one smiling parent in tow.

It was not an uncommon occurrence.

That’s because Neitzel looked so much like Santa Claus people of all ages would often stop to

give him their wish list or simply to stare.

&uot;It happens a lot. Especially in grocery stores,&uot; Neitzel said in December for a story for the Albert Lea Tribune. &uot;Mothers grocery shopping will tell their kids, ‘You better be good. There’s Santa Claus.’ &uot;

He prided himself on playing that role and spent much of the holiday season posing as Santa at daycare centers or hospitals.

Neitzel died on Sunday, July 3, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 54.

A benefit is being held to help his wife pay medical expenses. It’s set for 1-6 p.m., Sunday, at the Emmons Legion. An eight-foot snowman will be outside the building for those who can’t find it.

Many of Neitzel’s friends and co-workers from Fleetguard in Lake Mills, Iowa, are organizing the event.

They’ve planned a motorcycle ride to begin at noon Sunday. Those wishing to ride should meet at the Legion.

Raffles will be held throughout the day and items

include a 20-inch flat screen TV, two iPods, quilts, a handmade children’s picnic table, luggage and other miscellaneous items. A silent auction will be held along with a bake sale.

Organizers will be serving lots of food including sloppy-joes, hot dogs, salads, Jell-O and various drinks.

The goal is to raise more than $11,000, said Nancy Moore, an organizer and employee of Fleetguard.