Kenneth Emery Behen
1922 - 2011
AUMSVILLE - Kenneth Emery Behen, 89, went home to be with the Lord on May 19, 2011.
Born March 3, 1922, in Flagler, Colo., the seventh of nine children, "Kenny" grew up in Denver and moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, in August 1941. He worked in Pearl Harbor as a shipwright throughout WWII. In 1942, he married Mary Kaleikini and they had four sons before her death in 1968.
Kenney was active in the Naval Seabees program during the Korean War conflict. In 1951, he moved to Long Beach, Calif., where he worked for 27 years and retired from the Long Beach Naval shipyard. In June 1977, he married Joan Patten. They resided in the beautiful mountains of Wrightwood, Calif., before moving to Aumsville, Ore., in 1990.
A long time member of Salem First Christian Church, Kenney was also a gifted wood worker and carpenter who will long be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, the gift of storytelling, and for the many beautiful pieces of woodwork he made and gave away.
Kenney is preceded in death by his parents, George and Mildred Behen; eight siblings, his first wife, Mary Kaleikini and sons Ken and Michael Behen. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Joan; sons, Robert and Peter Behen; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held May 24 in Kennewick, Wash. A celebration of life memorial service will be held June 1 at 1:00 p.m. at Salem First Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Salem First Christian Church in Kenney's memory.
Published in StatesmanJournal on May 30, 2011
Kenneth Emery Behen
1922 - 2011
AUMSVILLE - Kenneth Emery Behen, 89, went home to be with the Lord on May 19, 2011.
Born March 3, 1922, in Flagler, Colo., the seventh of nine children, "Kenny" grew up in Denver and moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, in August 1941. He worked in Pearl Harbor as a shipwright throughout WWII. In 1942, he married Mary Kaleikini and they had four sons before her death in 1968.
Kenney was active in the Naval Seabees program during the Korean War conflict. In 1951, he moved to Long Beach, Calif., where he worked for 27 years and retired from the Long Beach Naval shipyard. In June 1977, he married Joan Patten. They resided in the beautiful mountains of Wrightwood, Calif., before moving to Aumsville, Ore., in 1990.
A long time member of Salem First Christian Church, Kenney was also a gifted wood worker and carpenter who will long be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, the gift of storytelling, and for the many beautiful pieces of woodwork he made and gave away.
Kenney is preceded in death by his parents, George and Mildred Behen; eight siblings, his first wife, Mary Kaleikini and sons Ken and Michael Behen. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Joan; sons, Robert and Peter Behen; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held May 24 in Kennewick, Wash. A celebration of life memorial service will be held June 1 at 1:00 p.m. at Salem First Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Salem First Christian Church in Kenney's memory.
Published in StatesmanJournal on May 30, 2011
Gravesite Details
buried close to his son Michael
Family Members
Siblings
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