Obituary for Lena Behnken
LENA BEHNKEN, 102, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 7:43 pm, Friday, March 4, 2016 at Three Springs Lodge Nursing Home in Chester.
She was born to the late Ferdinand and Emilie (nee: Luebkemann) Sommer on December 7, 1913 in St. Clair County, Illinois.
She married Carl "Charlie" Fred Behnken on August 18, 1940 in Baldwin, Illinois. He preceded her in death on November 13, 1993.
Lena was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Chester.
She was a retired teacher and was a member of the Randolph County Retired Teachers, the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, Randolph County Farm Bureau and SIU Alumni.
Survivors include 1 Daughter: Wanda Dethrow, Chester, IL; 1 Daughter-in-law: Sharon Behnken, Prairie du Rocher, IL; 5 Siblings: Ella Falkenheim, Marissa, IL, Mathilda Sommer, Marissa, IL, Leona (Joe) Braun, Freeburg, IL, Emilie Sommer, Marissa, IL, Frieda Sommer, Marissa, IL; 4 Grandsons: Shawn Behnken, Joel Behnken, Nick Behnken, Christopher (Jennifer) Behnken; 2 Step-Grandsons: Mike (Rose) Dethrow, Bill (Cheryl) Dethrow; 2 Great-Grandchildren: Amanda Behnken, Michael Behnken; Godchild Erna Sieber; 8 Step-Great-Grandchildren 11 Step-Great-Great Grandchildren, Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends.
Preceded in death by: Parents, Husband - Carl "Charlie" Fred Behnken, 1 Son - Wayne Behnken, 1 Son-in-law - Richard Dethrow, 2 Sisters - Goldie Bollmeier and Augusta Ohm, 4 Brothers - Fred Sommer, Louie Sommer, Ferd Sommer and Rudolph Sommer, 1 Sister-in-law - Helen Sommer and 3 Brothers-in-law - Arkell Bollmeier, Leonard Ohm and Adolph Falkenheim
Funeral Service 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, Illinois with Rev. Tim Sims officiating.
Interment in Paradise Cemetery, Steeleville, Illinois.
Visitation Monday, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m, Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, Illinois.
Memorials St. John Lutheran Church Debt Fund, St. John Lutheran School New Facility Fund and Three Springs Lodge Activity Fund.
To view this obituary and sign the register book visit www.pmfh.net.