Behrends, Eileen (1924-2018)

BEHRENDS, YORATH, WILLIAMS, AUKES, STRONGITHARM, BENNER

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/10/2018 at 14:06:31

Eileen Behrends
August 10, 1924 - March 13, 2018

Eileen (Yorath) Behrends passed away on March 13, 2018, at St. John's in Albert Lea, Minnesota, following a brief illness.

Eileen was born on August 10, 1924, to William Henry and Sarah Jane (Williams) Yorath in south Wales, United Kingdom. At the age of 14, she graduated from school and began to work to help support her family. Around this time, her father, also, moved the family to the suburbs of London to provide better opportunities for his children. At age 20, Eileen went to a dance with her Aunt. While they were visiting with a couple of American soldiers outside the dance hall during a World War II “blackout,” one of them asked her to go on a date with him to the movies "pictures" the next afternoon. The next day, when Fred came to pick Eileen up, they saw each other for the first time (because of the darkness of the night before). Fred and Eileen married on August 19, 1944, in Twickenham, England. After Fred finished his military service a couple years later, he returned to Buffalo Center, Iowa, to set up a home for Eileen and their son, Rodney. When it was ready, Eileen embarked on a journey to Iowa as a war bride.

Even though Eileen "couldn't boil water" when first married, she went on to become a very good cook. Indeed, throughout her life, she worked at several restaurants and as a cook in the school and in the nursing home for many years. Eileen, also, worked in a greenhouse nursery as a young woman and continued that love of gardening and canning the fruits of her labor for her whole family to enjoy. Always full of energy and a believer in hard work, Eileen was still gardening and mowing her own lawn at age 90. For her, no job was too menial, and every job worth doing was worth doing right the first time.

Eileen's sense of adventure took her on many trips throughout her life to see lots of places and meet many people. Once people had met Eileen, they did not forget her. Many times, Eileen would encounter people whom she had come in contact with many years earlier, and they would recognize her again years later. In addition, Eileen, always, enjoyed having children around. Indeed, she, even, served as a Church Camp Counselor in her late 80s. Children would call her “Mrs. B.” Her sense of humor and quick wit always made for a happy time and good conversation, which often happened over a “good cup of tea.”

Eileen is survived by her children, Rodney (Nether). of Weatherford, Texas, Pam Behrends, of Glendale, Arizona, Sarah Aukes, of Buffalo Center, Iowa, and Anne Behrends (Melissa), of Clinton, Iowa; her grandson, Rodney (Courtney) Behrends, Jr, of Prosper, Texas; her great-grandchildren, Lily "Miss Lily" Behrends, and Grady "That boy" Behrends; her sister, Gwen Strongitharm, of Hanworth, England, and her sisters-in-law, Darlene Benner, of Portland, Oregon, and Lilly Yorath, of Twickenham, England. Additional special family members include Linda Sharp and family of Decorah, Iowa; Andy, Shannon, and Susan Aukes, of LeSeuer, Minnesota, and Anthony Accurso's children; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Eileen was preceded in death by husband, Fred, in 1991; a son, Thomas, in infancy; a daughter, Janet; her children-in-laws, Harlan and CJ; her parents, William and Sarah; five sisters; three brothers, and her special friend, Anthony Accurso.

Many thanks go to all of the staff at The Meadows and St. John's skilled care for the care and support they gave Eileen and her family.

Eileen always said she loved to see and smell the flowers in life, but she did not have such a need in the after-life. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be given to the First Reformed Church of Buffalo Center or to a Hospice facility of the donor’s choice. Thank you for any kind donations. Please accept this statement as the family's expression of gratitude so that the expense of sending “thank yous” may also be put to better use as a donation.

Visitation will take place Thursday, March 15, 2018, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the First Reformed Church in Buffalo Center, Iowa. A celebration of life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 16, 2018, also at the church. Burial will follow at Olena Mound Cemetery in Buffalo Center.

Oakcrest Funeral Services ~ Winter Chapel, Buffalo Center, Iowa, 2017.

Winnebago Obituaries maintained by Cheryl Siebrass.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen