Behrends, Bernice

Bernice Behrends, 89, died Monday, June 20, 2011, at the Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center following an extended illness. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 24, at the First Presbyterian Church, Monticello, with interment in the Oakwood Cemetery. The Rev. Al Polito will officiate at the services. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at .

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church building fund or to Above and Beyond Hospice.

Surviving are four children, Beverly (Richard) Becker, McGregor, Donald Behrends, Argyle, Texas, Donna Tenhoff, Manchester, and Grace (Dale) Zimmerman, Monticello; a daughter-in-law, Pam Behrends, Coralville; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Ruth Dunkel, Florida, Betty Gress, Buffalo, Wyo., and Mildred Eilers, Tipton.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Glenn; a son, Tom; three grandchildren, Chris and Ben Tenhoff and Rachel Rickels; two sisters, Gertrude Otten, Alice (Melvin) Deppe; and three brothers, James, John Jr. and Samuel Wenger.

Bernice Flora Wenger was born June 24, 1921, at Monticello, Iowa. She was the daughter of John J. and Rachel Gaddie Wenger. She received her education in the rural schools of Jones and Delaware County. Bernice Wenger and Glenn Behrends were married Jan. 1, 1942, at Kahoka, Mo. The couple made their home in Monticello where Bernice was employed by Georgia Pacific for 15 years. She later operated a bridal supply business and also an upholstery business. Upon retirement Bernice and Glenn worked for the Corps of Engineers at campgrounds near Coralville and spent their winters in Texas.