Leroy Behrens

Leroy J. Behrens, age 96, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, December 21, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton with Rev. Michael Breach officiating. Organist will be Theresa Thiel.

Interment will be in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Dumont, Minnesota. Pallbearers will be Dean Peyton, Dustin Peyton, Garrett Behrens, Carter Behrens, Ryan Silbernick and Paul Behrens. Military Rites will be provided by the Merton Dale American Legion Post #80.

Visitation will be held Friday morning one hour prior to service time at the church.

Leroy J. Behrens was born March 7, 1922 at the family farm in Leonardsville Township, rural Johnson, Minnesota to John and Sophia (Fuhrman) Behrens. He was born prematurely so he was baptized the same day. He was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church near Johnson, Minnesota He attended country school in Leonardsville Township completing the eighth grade. His family moved to Dollymount Township where he helped on the farm before being drafted in to the United States Army on November 29, 1944. He served until his honorable discharge on August 2, 1946. For his service he received the Victory Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon, two Overseas Bars, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), and the Good Conduct Medal.

Leroy returned home after his service and began farming on his own. He was united in marriage to Pearl Rusch on December 13, 1958 at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton. Together the couple were blessed with four children. The couple continued living and farming in Dollymount Township until 1990 when they moved into Wheaton. Leroy continued farming until 2007 when he "officially" retired at the age of 85. He was however often seen around the farm after that, helping wherever he was able.

Leroy enjoyed time spent with family at their cabin on Lake Traverse. He was a member of the Merton Dale American Legion Post #80, the St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton and the St. John's Lutheran Church in Dumont where he held several offices. Leroy lived to farm. It was his job, hobby and passion.

Leroy is survived by his wife Pearl of Wheaton; four children: LeAnn (Pat) Peyton of Dumont, MN; Gary (DeAnn) Behrens of Wheaton; Wendy (Bob Schuneman) Silbernick of Garfield, MN; and Rick (Akane) Behrens of Royal Oak, MI; eight grandchildren: Dean (Caurisa) Peyton of Wheaton; Dustin (Jana) Peyton of Wheaton; Carly (Cody) Schultz of Wheaton; Stephanie (Tyler) Berg of Piedmont, SD; Garrett Behrens of Wheaton; Carter Behrens of Wheaton; Ryan Silbernick (fiancée Trina) of San Diego, CA; and Akina Behrens of Royal Oak, MI; four great-grandchildren: Mallory, Nora and Sadie Peyton; and Wade Schultz; one sister Lois (Donald Scheelk) of Burnsville, MN; one brother Floyd (Jeri) Behrens of Dumont, MN; three sisters-in-law: Virginia Behrens of Spencer, IA; Marilyn Behrens of Morris, MN; and Lenora Behrens of Wheaton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Leroy was preceded in death by his parents, infant son Steven; brothers: Raymond, Ervin (Colleen) Earl (Dora), Vernon and Melvin Behrens; and sisters: Helen (Neal) Fritz; and Irene Behrens.