Walter A "Walt" (Reverend) Behrens
#1 Interview at Crowell Home, Blair, Nebraska on April 16, 2013, by Raymond Chadek, McKenzie Sailors , and Alicia Stevens.
Current age: 85
Walter is married to Ellen, who is 84 years old. They have three children: Ruth, who was born in 1958 and a teacher at Omaha Christian Academy. Paul, who was born in the 60's, is a retired accountant. Louis, who was born in 1970, and is a teacher in Elkhorn, Nebraska. All three of their children graduated from Dana College.
Walter and Ellen have eight grandchildren: Eric, Karen, August (Auggie), Sarah, Charlie. Wally, Jillian and Reagan. They have no great-grandchildren.
Walter is the youngest of four children. All of his siblings are now deceased.
Walter was born in Duluth, Minnesota. He was raised in Marietta, Minnesota where his parents were farmers.
World War II was going on while Walter was in high school. His school started with 36 students and ended with 16. He said there was a high drop out rate because of a lack of pressure to stay in school. During WWII many teachers were unavailable and education was poor. The only sport they had was basketball. There were only outdoor toilets.
He went to school half days because his brother was drafted and he had to be at home more to take care of the farm.
Walter grew up in a family of immigrants from Germany.
He lived most of his adult life in Iowa. He became a parish pastor in 1957. The last time he preached was in November, 2012. He performed a lot of charity work including taking care of churches. He was asked to serve on many boards throughout his lifetime.
Walter said he thrived on parishes that were in trouble and needed help.
Walter lived in Blair, Nebraska for 23 years. He moved into Crowell Home temporarily on February 15th of this year (2013), five days after his birthday. He came to Crowell for therapy, which he says has been outstanding. He came prepared and determined to get better. It paid off because he gets to go back home Thursday (April 18th).
It was not difficult to adjust to living in a nursing home because he is comfortable with the environment. Because of his career, he has done a lot of work in different nursing homes. He did say he had never been in one this friendly before.
He finds the people here to be very willing to be involved with theology.
#2 Published in The Pilot Tribune, Tuesday, March 18, 2014
The Rev. Walter A. Behrens, 86, of Blair, died Saturday, March 15, 2014, in Blair.
A memorial service is 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at Country Bible Church, 13121 County Road 16, Blair, officiated by Pastor Mark Degner of Christ Lutheran Church, Blair.
Walter A. Behrens was born Feb. 10, 1928, in Duluth, Minn., to August Heinrich Dietrich and Maria Sophia Dorthee Hermine (Schmidt) Behrens.
He served five Lutheran churches in Iowa as pastor from 1957 to 1990. In retirement, he continued to serve the Lord in various ministries.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ellen; children: Ruth (Jerry) Schmidt, Paul (Julie) Behrens and Lois (Steve) Rasgorshek; grandchildren: Erik Schmidt, Karin (Bjorn) Broman, August, Sarah, Charles and Walter Behrens, Reagan and Jillian Jones and Mia Rasgorshek; and numerous other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son, David.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Christ Lutheran Church building fund.
Westlawn Hillcrest Funeral Home in Omaha is in charge of arrangements.
#3 Published in Omaha World-Herald from Mar. 17 to Mar. 18, 2014
Behrens, Rev. Walter A.
Feb 10, 1928 - Mar 15, 2014
Blair, NE. Walter served five Lutheran churches in Iowa as pastor from 1957-1990 and in retirement continued to serve the Lord in various ministries. Preceded in death by infant son, David. Survived by wife of 60 years, Ellen; children, Ruth (Jerry) Schmidt, Paul (Julie) Behrens and Lois (Steve) Rasgorshek; grandchildren, Erik Schmidt, Karin (Bjorn) Broman, August, Sarah, Charles and Walter Behrens, Reagan and Jillian Jones and Mia Rasgorshek and numerous other relatives and friends.
MEMORIAL SERVICE Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 1pm at Country Bible Church, 13121 County Road 16, Blair. Service officiated by Pastor Mark Degner of Christ Lutheran Church, Blair. In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to Christ Lutheran Church building fund.
WESTLAWN-HILLCREST Memorial Park Funeral Home 5701 Center Street 402-556-2500
#4 Funeral Leaflet
Walt was born in Duluth, MN to August and Hermine Behrens on February 10, 1928 and baptized March 4, 1928. He was the only American-born child to these German immigrant parents. He grew up on a farm near Marietta, MN. Dad had fond memories of farm life.
Walt served five Lutheran congregations in Iowa as pastor from 1957-1990 when he retired and moved to Blair, NE. Following "retirement" he continued to serve the Lord through various ministries.
Walt enjoyed visiting with people, encouraging them in their Christian walk, and sharing stories. One of his favorite pastimes was fishing…and boy could he spin fish tales! He enjoyed vacations and visiting new places. He also LOVED cars!
Walt is survived by his wife, Ellen of 60 years; daughter and son-in-law, Ruth and Jerry Schmidt of Blair; son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Julie Behrens of Mt. Crested Butte, CO and daughter and son-in-law, Lois and Steve Rasgorshek of Omaha, NE; grandchildren: Erik Schmidt of Cedar Falls, IA; Karin(Schmidt) and Bjorn Broman of Des Moines, IA; August, Sarah, Charles and Walter Behrens all of Mt. Crested Butte, CO; Reagan and Jillian Jones of Omaha, NE and Mia Rasgorshek of Omaha, NE and several nieces and nephews.
Celebration of Life Service for Rev. Walter A. Behrens
Welcome. Congregational Hymn "Jesus Loves Me". Obituary. Scripture Readings: Walt's favorite scriptures: Psalm 46, John 17: 1-5, 20-26. Congregational Hymn: "A Mighty Fortress". Message: Pastor Mark Degner. Prayers. Congregational Hymn: "Lord's Prayer". Commendation. The Blessing. Congregational Hymn: "I Know That My Redeemer Lives!" Mrs. Clare Cowing, Pianist.
~~~ Obituaries and funeral leaflet courtesy of Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska~~~
Walter A "Walt" (Reverend) Behrens
#1 Interview at Crowell Home, Blair, Nebraska on April 16, 2013, by Raymond Chadek, McKenzie Sailors , and Alicia Stevens.
Current age: 85
Walter is married to Ellen, who is 84 years old. They have three children: Ruth, who was born in 1958 and a teacher at Omaha Christian Academy. Paul, who was born in the 60's, is a retired accountant. Louis, who was born in 1970, and is a teacher in Elkhorn, Nebraska. All three of their children graduated from Dana College.
Walter and Ellen have eight grandchildren: Eric, Karen, August (Auggie), Sarah, Charlie. Wally, Jillian and Reagan. They have no great-grandchildren.
Walter is the youngest of four children. All of his siblings are now deceased.
Walter was born in Duluth, Minnesota. He was raised in Marietta, Minnesota where his parents were farmers.
World War II was going on while Walter was in high school. His school started with 36 students and ended with 16. He said there was a high drop out rate because of a lack of pressure to stay in school. During WWII many teachers were unavailable and education was poor. The only sport they had was basketball. There were only outdoor toilets.
He went to school half days because his brother was drafted and he had to be at home more to take care of the farm.
Walter grew up in a family of immigrants from Germany.
He lived most of his adult life in Iowa. He became a parish pastor in 1957. The last time he preached was in November, 2012. He performed a lot of charity work including taking care of churches. He was asked to serve on many boards throughout his lifetime.
Walter said he thrived on parishes that were in trouble and needed help.
Walter lived in Blair, Nebraska for 23 years. He moved into Crowell Home temporarily on February 15th of this year (2013), five days after his birthday. He came to Crowell for therapy, which he says has been outstanding. He came prepared and determined to get better. It paid off because he gets to go back home Thursday (April 18th).
It was not difficult to adjust to living in a nursing home because he is comfortable with the environment. Because of his career, he has done a lot of work in different nursing homes. He did say he had never been in one this friendly before.
He finds the people here to be very willing to be involved with theology.
#2 Published in The Pilot Tribune, Tuesday, March 18, 2014
The Rev. Walter A. Behrens, 86, of Blair, died Saturday, March 15, 2014, in Blair.
A memorial service is 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at Country Bible Church, 13121 County Road 16, Blair, officiated by Pastor Mark Degner of Christ Lutheran Church, Blair.
Walter A. Behrens was born Feb. 10, 1928, in Duluth, Minn., to August Heinrich Dietrich and Maria Sophia Dorthee Hermine (Schmidt) Behrens.
He served five Lutheran churches in Iowa as pastor from 1957 to 1990. In retirement, he continued to serve the Lord in various ministries.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ellen; children: Ruth (Jerry) Schmidt, Paul (Julie) Behrens and Lois (Steve) Rasgorshek; grandchildren: Erik Schmidt, Karin (Bjorn) Broman, August, Sarah, Charles and Walter Behrens, Reagan and Jillian Jones and Mia Rasgorshek; and numerous other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son, David.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Christ Lutheran Church building fund.
Westlawn Hillcrest Funeral Home in Omaha is in charge of arrangements.
#3 Published in Omaha World-Herald from Mar. 17 to Mar. 18, 2014
Behrens, Rev. Walter A.
Feb 10, 1928 - Mar 15, 2014
Blair, NE. Walter served five Lutheran churches in Iowa as pastor from 1957-1990 and in retirement continued to serve the Lord in various ministries. Preceded in death by infant son, David. Survived by wife of 60 years, Ellen; children, Ruth (Jerry) Schmidt, Paul (Julie) Behrens and Lois (Steve) Rasgorshek; grandchildren, Erik Schmidt, Karin (Bjorn) Broman, August, Sarah, Charles and Walter Behrens, Reagan and Jillian Jones and Mia Rasgorshek and numerous other relatives and friends.
MEMORIAL SERVICE Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 1pm at Country Bible Church, 13121 County Road 16, Blair. Service officiated by Pastor Mark Degner of Christ Lutheran Church, Blair. In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to Christ Lutheran Church building fund.
WESTLAWN-HILLCREST Memorial Park Funeral Home 5701 Center Street 402-556-2500
#4 Funeral Leaflet
Walt was born in Duluth, MN to August and Hermine Behrens on February 10, 1928 and baptized March 4, 1928. He was the only American-born child to these German immigrant parents. He grew up on a farm near Marietta, MN. Dad had fond memories of farm life.
Walt served five Lutheran congregations in Iowa as pastor from 1957-1990 when he retired and moved to Blair, NE. Following "retirement" he continued to serve the Lord through various ministries.
Walt enjoyed visiting with people, encouraging them in their Christian walk, and sharing stories. One of his favorite pastimes was fishing…and boy could he spin fish tales! He enjoyed vacations and visiting new places. He also LOVED cars!
Walt is survived by his wife, Ellen of 60 years; daughter and son-in-law, Ruth and Jerry Schmidt of Blair; son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Julie Behrens of Mt. Crested Butte, CO and daughter and son-in-law, Lois and Steve Rasgorshek of Omaha, NE; grandchildren: Erik Schmidt of Cedar Falls, IA; Karin(Schmidt) and Bjorn Broman of Des Moines, IA; August, Sarah, Charles and Walter Behrens all of Mt. Crested Butte, CO; Reagan and Jillian Jones of Omaha, NE and Mia Rasgorshek of Omaha, NE and several nieces and nephews.
Celebration of Life Service for Rev. Walter A. Behrens
Welcome. Congregational Hymn "Jesus Loves Me". Obituary. Scripture Readings: Walt's favorite scriptures: Psalm 46, John 17: 1-5, 20-26. Congregational Hymn: "A Mighty Fortress". Message: Pastor Mark Degner. Prayers. Congregational Hymn: "Lord's Prayer". Commendation. The Blessing. Congregational Hymn: "I Know That My Redeemer Lives!" Mrs. Clare Cowing, Pianist.
~~~ Obituaries and funeral leaflet courtesy of Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska~~~
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