Norwald Herman Behrens (1915-2003)

BEHRENS, EHRICH, HECKMANN, HAMMON, FRENCH

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 11/8/2016 at 00:01:15

Services held for Norwald Behrens

Funeral services for Norwald Behrens were held at 1:30 p.m. Satur­day, November 29, 2003, at the Zion Lutheran Church at Paullina, Iowa, with Pastor Karl Eckhoff, officiating. "Precious Lord, Take My Hand', and "Amazing Grace" were sung by Zion Lutheran Church choir. Con­gregational hymns were "How Great Thou Art", and "I Know That My Redeemer Lives", with organist Verla Hibbing. Casket bearers were Larry Schwebach, Kenneth Travcr, Marvin Fintcl, Junior Tcsch, Lawrence Paul­sen, Bob Leitz. Interment was at Prairie View Cemetery at Paullina. Iowa, under the direction of Gaudian-Eldridge Funeral Home, Paullina, Iowa

OBITUARY

Norwald Herman Behrens was born July 1, 1915 in Fairmont, MN, and passed away on November 23, 2003 at the Paullina Care Center at the age of 88. He was the son of William and Wilhelmina Behrens. He was baptized on July 15, 1915 and confirmed in 1929. After high school, he attended Dr. Martin Luther College from 1933-1935 in New Ulm, MN. After that time, Norwald began his teaching career at St. John's Church in Elmore, MN from 1936-1937. Upon completing his year of teaching, he continued at Dr Martin Luther College.

Norwald and Verona Mildred Ehrich were married July 10, 1938 in Elmore, MN. Norwald continued his teaching in Janesville, MN from 1938 through 1942. Norwald then began to teach elementary school in Amboy, MN from 1942 through the school term in 1945. He moved his growing family to Gcrmantown, 1A, where Norwald was the principal of St. John's Lutheran School from 1945 through the school term of 1958. During this interim, Norwald earned his degree in Elementary Education at Seward Concordia College in Nebraska in 1952. Norwald moved his family to 215 West Greene Street, Paullina, 1A in 1958. He earned his Masters in Ele­mentary Education at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. SD in 1967. He taught in the Paullina Community School from 1962 through the school term of 1978.

Norwald was a church organist and member of the church choir in Fairmont, Janesville, Amboy, MN and in Gcrmantown and Paullina, IA Lutheran churches throughout his lifetime. While in Paullina, Norwald served a period of time as treasurer for the Zlion Lutheran Cliurch. Norwald took great pride in his community and was an active mem­ber of the Paullina Lions Club from 1962 until his death. He served as treasurer for this service club for almost that many years. He was also a member of the Mill Creek Singers. In 1983, Norwald's design, detailing Paullina's growth, was selected as the logo for their community centennial. He was honored as the Grand Marshall of their 4lh of July parade in Paullina.

Norwald Herman Behrens leaves behind Verona, his wife and partner of 65 years. Surviving Norwald are his brothers, Norman from Fairmont. MN and Eldred from Litchfield, MN.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Helen Heckmann.

Norwald has four children: Gene and his wife, Marco from Gilbert. AZ. Roger and his wife, Kate from Phoenix, AZ, Gloria Hammon and her husband, Fred from Soldotna. Alaska and Deann French from Scottsdale, AZ. There are seven grandchildren, six step-grand-children. seven great-grandchildren and nine step-great-grandchildren.

Paullina (Iowa) Times, Dec 4, 2003, pA5