Obit: Edwin Behnke

Posted

Edwin G. “Ed” Behnke, 83, of Durant, Iowa, died Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021 at UnityPoint Health Trinity Rock Island. Visitation will be held on Friday, Oct. 1 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Durant. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Durant Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Durant Firefighters Inc. or Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in his memory. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.

Ed was born in Oelwein, Iowa on Sept. 15, 1938 to Edwin and Anna (Vaudt) Behnke. He graduated from Whittemore High School in 1956, and attended Railroad Education Bureau in Omaha. Ed married Merna S. Gimm on Oct. 10, 1959 in Durant. She preceded him in death on Aug. 23, 2011.

Ed retired from Pioneer Hybrid in 2003, and continued working part time until his 80th birthday. In early years, he worked for the Rock Island Railroad.

Ed was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council. He was a retired Durant firefighter, where he served as secretary/treasurer for 22 years. He volunteered with the Durant Ambulance service as a driver, the Durant Community Center Board, and the Durant Farmer’s Market.

He was an avid Hawkeye and Cubs fan. He loved to spoil the neighborhood pets and children.

Ed is survived and lovingly remembered by his daughters, Cheryl Behnke of West Burlington and Marsha (Tim) Sterner of Durant; grandsons Dan (Audra) Sterner and Adam (Autum) Sterner, both of Durant; great-granddaughter Ellie and one due in November; companion Glenda Sorgenfrey of Durant, and his cat Jake.

He was preceded in death by his wife and his sister Elaine Schmeling.

Custom obituary

Comments