June Olivia Behrens

June Olivia Behrens was born in Carroll, IA, on March 23, 1947, the daughter of Cecil and Evangeline (Klocke) Cox.  She was raised on the farm near Dedham and received her education at St. Joseph Catholic School in Dedham and Kuemper Catholic High School in Carroll.  On February 6, 1965, June was united in marriage with Jerry Behrens at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dedham.   Their union was blessed with five children: Dan, Christy, Jeff, Brad and Amy.  For 23 years they made their home on the farm near Kiron, IA, and moved to Denison in 1993 where she had resided since. June spent her married life as a homemaker, lovingly caring for her family.  She and Jerry were blessed to have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2015.June found great joy in caring for her family and attending her children’s and grandchildren’s many activities, and she was their biggest cheerleader. She was very proud of all of her family’s accomplishments, and loved to share that with her friends. In her leisure time she enjoyed crafts, quilting, gardening, and took pride in tending the flowers that surround their home.  She also loved to travel South in the winter, spending time with friends and family. As a mother, she had the perfect mix of discipline and love. The joyful smile on her face when she interacted with her grandchildren will be missed, but the impact she made on them will be remembered forever. The love she fostered among her children and grandchildren will live on as her legacy.She was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison, St. Rose of Lima Ladies Guild, volunteered for various community events, and was a Master Gardener. June passed away surrounded by her loved ones late Friday, July 8, 2016, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.  At the time of her death she had been blessed with 69 years, 3 months and 15 days.June was preceded in death by her parents Cecil and Evangeline Cox.Those remaining to cherish her memory include her husband Jerry Behrens, Denison, five children and their spouses: Dan and Karen Behrens of Pleasant Hill, Christy and Nick Vahanian of Polk City, 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 who were the light of her life: Greg (Lindsey), Drew, 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 grandson, Jaxon Bell; three brothers and their spouses: Allen and Patty Cox of Harlan, Jeff and Shirley Cox of Liberal, KS, and Richard and Colleen Cox of Omaha, NE; two sisters and their spouses: Loryce and Mike Patterson of Omaha, NE, Peg and Gary Larson of Winterset; nieces, nephews, relatives, and countless friends.Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 12, 2016, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Denison, Iowa, with Father Tim Boekelman as Celebrant. Others participating in the mass included Servers: Jaxson Hildebrand and Conner Collins; Lectors: Sarah Behrens, Richard Cox and Karen Behrens; Gift Bearers: Jessica, Erica, Brooklyn and Evan Behrens; and Eucharistic Ministers: Marilyn Pollak and Shary Livingston. Music was provided by St. Rose of Lima Adult Choir under the direction of Pat Menegay singing “You Are Mine”, Be Not Afraid”, “Hail, Mary, Gentle Woman”, “On Eagle’s Wings” and “Lead Me Lord” with Jean Cornelius as accompanist. Pallbearers included Greg Behrens, Josh Bell, Drew Behrens, Nic Behrens, Luke Behrens, Dave Webb and Isaac Poolman. Interment was at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery, Denison, Iowa. Following the graveside rites the family invited everyone to join them at Boulders Conference Center for a luncheon catered by Staley’s Food Service with desserts provided and served by the St. Rose of Lima Ladies Guild.A visitation was held on Monday, July 11, 2016, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison with a Parish Vigil Service led by Deacon Matthew Solyntes was held at 8:00 p.m.The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa was in charge of arrangements.