Walter J. Behrens

Born in Newhall, IA on February 15, 1924
Departed on February 24, 2009. Resided in Mt. Vernon, IA.

Memorial

Walter J. Behrens, 85, of Mt. Vernon, died at Hallmark Care Center, on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, after a long illness. Graveside Services: 10 a.m. Friday at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery by the Rev. William Wordhof of Echo Hill Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are with Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel.

Walt was born February 15, 1924 in rural Newhall, the son of Claus and Anna Behrens. In 1950 he married into the family of Katherine Wells and her daughters, Virginia Wells Bowers and Carolyn Herdegen. Katherine died in 1982. Walt’s surviving step-grandchildren are Julie, Robert, and Jim Bowers, children of Virginia Wells Bowers, and Joy Dziech, daughter of Carolyn Herdegen. He then married into the family of Maxine Rutherford and her children, Lynn (Linda) Rutherford and Cheryl (Arlen) Russell in 1983. Maxine died in 1999. Surviving step-grandchildren are Curtis and Colin Russell. Also surviving are brother-in-law, Carl Ritscher; sisters-in-law, Dottie Behrens and Arlene Titler; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two step-daughters, Virginia and Carolyn; five brothers, John, Harry, Louie, Karl, and Elmer Behrens; and two sisters, Mae Ritscher and Pauline Kreutner.

Walt worked most of his life at FMC, retiring in the early 1980’s.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Echo Hill Presbyterian Church or Hallmark Care Center.

The family is forever grateful to the staff of Hallmark Care Center for their constant dedication and loving care.

Service