John Frederick Behrens

JOHN FREDERICK BEHRENS

We were sorry to hear of the death of Walnut Genealogy Society member John Behrens. He was born on October 8, 1931 on the family farm in Monroe Township, Shelby County, north of Walnut. His parents were John Christopher and Alma Christina (Kohlscheen) Behrens.

At a young age, he moved with his family to Portland, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he was drafted into the Army and served during the Korean War.

After his return from Korea, he worked for the U. S. Government for 28 years.

On March 1, 1957, John and Jerrine Jordan were united in marriage in Portland. They raised two sons, while living and working on the island of Taiwan, in the Philippines, Syria, Florida, India, Okinawa, Nigeria, Northern Virginia, Zambia and Liberia.

John was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Orvis, Marinus and Leo; and sister Norma Alma. Many of the Behrens family are buried in the Layton Township Cemetery at Walnut, Iowa.

Surviving John are his wife; sons Karl Thomas and Eric Jordan; grandson Karl K.; sister Elvira Neuwanger of Bend, Oregon; brother Calvin Behrens of Canby, Oregon; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

John passed away at home on October 24, 2014, in Port Angeles, Washington. His memorial service was held on November 8 at Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church in Sequim, Washington. Some of his ashes were interred at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Memorial Garden at Port Angeles, Washington; the remainder will be scattered on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

[Our sympathies go to Jerrine Behrens and our thanks for supplying us with the information.]

KH