Lena A. 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, IL.

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, Illinois.

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:

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 :    11:00 am   Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, Illinois

Officiating: Rev. Tim Sims

Interment :             Paradise Cemetery
Steeleville, Illinois

Visitation :              Monday, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Tuesday, 7:30 am – 11:00 am
Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, Illinois

Memorials: St. John Lutheran Church Debt Fund
St. John Lutheran School New Facility Fund
Three Springs Lodge Activity Fund