Behrens, Christopher Frederick 1851 - 1926

BEHRENS, RADLOFF, SCHWENKE, LEI, FOLLUM, KRUSE

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:23

Elkader Register, Thur., 18 Mar. 1926.

C. F. Behrens passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Fred Radloff, at Garner, Iowa, Wednesday afternoon, March 3, 1926 at two o'clock. "Dad" Behrens, as he was known to everyone in Bryant, seemed in the best of health when he left Bryant a few months ago and had intended to spend the winter with his children, and return home in the spring. He was taken ill a few weeks ago and while he rallied on several occasions his condition became worse. The body was shipped from Garner, Iowa, to Bryant, arriving there Saturday evening of the past week.

Christopher Frederick Behrens was born April 8, 1851, in the province of Mecklenburg, Germany, and died March 3, 1926, at Garner, Iowa, at the age of 74 years, 10 months and 5 days.

He came to America with the family in the year 1857 and settled at Michigan City, Indiana. He was united in marriage to Sophie Schwenke at Littleport, Iowa, March 22, 1874. Nine children were born to this union, all of whom are still living. For thirty-nine years they resided on a farm in Clayton county, Iowa, until 1913. When they moved to Bryant, S.D., to be nearer their children who had moved to South Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Behrens celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at Bryant, S.D., on March 23, 1924. His wife passed away on December 10, 1924.

He is survived by nine children, Mrs. Minnie Radloff, Garner, Iowa, Mrs. Clara Lei of Murchison, S.D., Mrs. Anna Follum of Spearfish, S.D., Mrs. Augusta Kruse of Farmersburg, Iowa, Henry of Loville, N.Y., Otto of Kimball, S.D., Oscar of Clarkstone, Michigan, Ernest of Vienna, S.D., and Carl of East Lansing, Michigan.

Funeral services were held at Bryant, S.D., Sunday afternoon, March 7th, a short service being held at the home, and at the Congregational church funeral services were conducted by Rev. Thomas Newell. Interment took place at Woodlawn cemetery.

He was a member of the Oddfellows lodge and funeral services were in charge of the Oddfellows.