Steven Lee Behrendsen 1953 - 2016

BEHRENDSEN, KLAUS, BURKE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen - volunteer (email)
Date: 2/17/2016 at 15:01:57

Mapleton Press
18 February 2016

Steven L. Behrendsen, 62, of Mapleton, Iowa passed away Wednesday, February 10, 2016, at the Odebolt Specialty Care in Odebolt, Iowa. The funeral service will be Monday, February 15, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Ida Grove, Iowa with Pastor Chad Lierman officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, February 14 after 4:30 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton, Iowa.

Steven Lee Behrendsen was born December 23, 1953, at Onawa, Iowa, the son of Charles and Esther Marie (Klaus) Behrendsen. He grew up on the farm near Smithland, Iowa with his large family. That was a time in his life he really enjoyed talking about.

After graduating from Maple Valley High School with the class of 1972, Steve began working for Westendorf in Onawa, Iowa. He later moved to Omaha and began employment with Kiewit Construction as a General Foreman. He talked about the thrill and sense of accomplishment brought on by building sky rises. He liked building hospitals and was responsible in the construction of the Quest Center where he did all the detailed glasswork in the building. After years of developing this construction career, Steve’s health forced him to retire. In 2014, Steve moved back to Mapleton, where he lived with his brother, Gus.

On March 10, 1978, Steve married Nancy Burke of Danbury, Iowa. They initially lived at Battle Creek and moved onto the Hornick/Whiting area, Smithland, Mapleton, Council Bluffs, and Neola, Iowa. They had three children who all graduated from school at Neola. Nancy passed away January 20, 2004.

Steve loved driving motorcycles during his entire adult life. He also loved detailing vehicles and keeping his cars spotless. He even had a car that he only took out on Sundays for a special drive which never included a gravel road. He also loved playing guitar and singing. He got better and better singing karaoke as the evening went on! He even sang a “surprise song” at his daughter’s wedding. Steve loved being outside and as a result became a skilled landscaper. When the kids were little, they camped a lot. Steve made it a point to spend time with his family, especially his grandkids. He loved his all the kids and had an active family life. He often said, “I lived the life of two people” meaning he did enough living for two souls, something the whole family is grateful for!

Family members left to embrace their memories of Steve are his sons, Dustin Behrendsen and his wife, Allison, Jason Behrendsen and his wife, Kristin , and Rachel Behrendsen, all of Ida Grove, Iowa; 11 grandchildren, Dustin’s children, Alyssa Behrendsen, Dustin J. Behrendsen, Austin Behrendsen, and Derrick Behrendsen; Jason’s children, Devin , Ethan, Avery, and Jaxon Behrendsen; and Rachel’s children, Caleb, Brady, and Halle Montgomery; five brothers, Ronald Behrendsen and his wife, Janet of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Kenneth “Gus” Behrendsen of Mapleton, Iowa, David Behrendsen of Mesa, Arizona, Myron Behrendsen of Phoenix, Arizona, and Tom Behrendsen and his partner, Gary of Omaha, Nebraska; four sisters, Joyce Spracklin of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Patricia Evers of Pocahontas, Iowa, Sheryl Howard her special friend, Bob of Omaha, Nebraska and Bonnie Behrendsen all of Omaha, Nebraska and many nieces and nephews along with numerous other extended family members.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers-in-law, John Spracklin, Derold Evers, and Donald Howard.