Jerry Behrens
April 18, 1944 — February 23, 2018
Jerome John (Jerry) Behrens was born in Carroll, IA, on April 18, 1944, the son of John and Beatrice (Wittrock) Behrens. He was raised on the farm near Roselle and received his education at Holy Angels Catholic School in Roselle and Kuemper Catholic High School in Carroll, Iowa.
On February 6, 1965, Jerry was united in marriage with June Cox at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dedham. Their union was blessed with five children: Dan, Christy, Jeff, Brad and Amy.
Jerry began his 38 year career at Farmland Foods in 1964, initially working on the line, followed by a number of management positions, and ultimately as plant manager for 14 years, before retiring in 2002. He was proud of the people and success of the Denison operation, but he truly valued the friends and relationships that he built over his long career. In addition to his career at Farmland, he farmed and raised hogs near Kiron from 1970 to 1993. In 1993, he and June moved to Denison, where he enjoyed living near the Denison Golf Course, and cherished the friendships created there.
Jerry devoted his life to his wife, June, and their five children. The pride he felt for his family was obvious in the stories he shared with his community of friends. Spending time playing and reading books with grandchildren, attending their sporting events, golfing, playing cards, and traveling were his favorite things. Jerry was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison.
Jerry passed away on Friday, February 23 at Kavanagh House Hospice in Des Moines after a one year battle with lung cancer. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 73 years, 10 months and 5 days.
Jerry was preceded in death by his wife June, parents, John and Beatrice Behrens, nephew, John W. Behrens, sister-in-law, Sandy Behrens, father and mother-in-law, Cecil and Evangeline Cox, and brother-in-law, Gary Larson.
Those remaining to cherish his memory include five children and their spouses: Dan and Karen Behrens of Pleasant Hill, Christy and Nick Vahanian of West Des Moines, Jeff and Teresa Behrens of Flandreau, SD, Brad and Sarah Behrens of Johnston, and Amy and Brian Bell of Altoona. Also surviving are fifteen grandchildren: Greg (Lindsey), Drew (Alyson), and Jessica Behrens; Harrison and Sam Vahanian; Nic, Erica, Brooklyn, and Luke Behrens; Evan, Pierce, and Reed Behrens; Amanda (Dave) Webb, Josh (Haylee) Bell, and Ashley (Isaac) Poolman; one great granddaughter, Cora Webb and three great grandsons, Jaxon Bell, Emmett Behrens, and Brooks Burshiem; six brothers and their spouses: Clete Behrens of Carroll, Gary and Sue Behrens of Arnolds Park, Wayne Behrens of Denison, Daryl and Lynne Behrens of Muscatine, John and Lois Behrens of Carroll, and Ardan and Brenda Behrens of Maquoketa; three sisters and their spouses: Kathy and Walt Grote of Wall Lake, Aggie and Jim Kitt of Dedham, and Nancy and Paul Reiling of Lake View, many nieces, nephews, relatives, and countless friends. The family would like to thank Jenny Otto for her love and support over the last year.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Rose of Lima Catholic School.
On February 6, 1965, Jerry was united in marriage with June Cox at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dedham. Their union was blessed with five children: Dan, Christy, Jeff, Brad and Amy.
Jerry began his 38 year career at Farmland Foods in 1964, initially working on the line, followed by a number of management positions, and ultimately as plant manager for 14 years, before retiring in 2002. He was proud of the people and success of the Denison operation, but he truly valued the friends and relationships that he built over his long career. In addition to his career at Farmland, he farmed and raised hogs near Kiron from 1970 to 1993. In 1993, he and June moved to Denison, where he enjoyed living near the Denison Golf Course, and cherished the friendships created there.
Jerry devoted his life to his wife, June, and their five children. The pride he felt for his family was obvious in the stories he shared with his community of friends. Spending time playing and reading books with grandchildren, attending their sporting events, golfing, playing cards, and traveling were his favorite things. Jerry was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison.
Jerry passed away on Friday, February 23 at Kavanagh House Hospice in Des Moines after a one year battle with lung cancer. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 73 years, 10 months and 5 days.
Jerry was preceded in death by his wife June, parents, John and Beatrice Behrens, nephew, John W. Behrens, sister-in-law, Sandy Behrens, father and mother-in-law, Cecil and Evangeline Cox, and brother-in-law, Gary Larson.
Those remaining to cherish his memory include five children and their spouses: Dan and Karen Behrens of Pleasant Hill, Christy and Nick Vahanian of West Des Moines, Jeff and Teresa Behrens of Flandreau, SD, Brad and Sarah Behrens of Johnston, and Amy and Brian Bell of Altoona. Also surviving are fifteen grandchildren: Greg (Lindsey), Drew (Alyson), and Jessica Behrens; Harrison and Sam Vahanian; Nic, Erica, Brooklyn, and Luke Behrens; Evan, Pierce, and Reed Behrens; Amanda (Dave) Webb, Josh (Haylee) Bell, and Ashley (Isaac) Poolman; one great granddaughter, Cora Webb and three great grandsons, Jaxon Bell, Emmett Behrens, and Brooks Burshiem; six brothers and their spouses: Clete Behrens of Carroll, Gary and Sue Behrens of Arnolds Park, Wayne Behrens of Denison, Daryl and Lynne Behrens of Muscatine, John and Lois Behrens of Carroll, and Ardan and Brenda Behrens of Maquoketa; three sisters and their spouses: Kathy and Walt Grote of Wall Lake, Aggie and Jim Kitt of Dedham, and Nancy and Paul Reiling of Lake View, many nieces, nephews, relatives, and countless friends. The family would like to thank Jenny Otto for her love and support over the last year.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Rose of Lima Catholic School.
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