Gary L. Behrens (1955-2020)

WIESE, BEHRENS, BARTEN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 17:43:28

Gary L. Behrens, age 65 of rural Clinton, passed away on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life beginning at 12:30 PM on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at the Stock Yard in Andover, Iowa, following a private family burial at Andover Cemetery. The Pape Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com
Gary was born in Clinton on January 13, 1955, the son of Virtus and Evelyn (Wiese) Behrens. He graduated from Miles High School in 1974. Gary married Rojean Barten on July 22, 1978 near Teeds Grove. Gary and Rojean farmed the family farm west of Teeds Grove. He was the Clerk of Elk River Township and served as sexton for Andover, Teeds Grove and Smith Cemeteries. He dug graves at 13 cemeteries in Clinton and Jackson Counties.
Gary enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, hanging at the camp and pond, having his farm cats around him and mowing the lawn. He raised swans for the Iowa DNR. Gary loved classic and muscle cars. In his younger days he raced his 69 Plymouth Duster at the Cordova Drag Strip.
Gary is survived by his wife Rojean: 3 children, Chad Behrens and his children Jack and Emma of Sabula, Cody Behrens and her son Blake of Clinton and Clay (Jaci) Behrens and their children, MacKenzie, Keaton and Kambrie; his sister, Betty (Ken) Spurbeck of Hemlock, Michigan; a niece, Brenda; a nephew, Mark; brothers-in-law, Roy (Vi) Barten of Park Rapids, MN, Ronnie (Marcia) Barten of Calamus and Lloyd (Sandy) Barten of Miles; and sisters-in-law, Lola Wilkens of Clinton, Lila (Les) Smith of Fulton and Ronda (Tom) Tietjens of Teeds Grove. He was preceded in death by his parents; a nephew, Scott; sisters-in-law, Rose Brandenburg and Lynette Carnicle and a brother-in-law, Jake Barten.
Published on January 4, 2021