Behrends, Lois A.

Lois A. Behrends, 74, of Monticello, died the evening of Jan. 19, 2011, at the Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, with her loving family at her side, from complications of dementia and brain trauma. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church, rural Monticello, with interment in Oakwood Cemetery, Monticello. The Rev. Edwin Moreano will officiate at the services. Friends may call from 4 until 8 p.m. today at Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.

Surviving are her husband, Larry; two daughters, Cary Behrends and husband Chuck McElmeel and Kelly Behrends, all of Monticello; a granddaughter, Alexis (Jon) Etringer, and grandson, Travis Hughes, both of Monticello; a great-granddaughter, Kaedence Etringer; and three sisters, Margaret (Paul) Whear, Monticello, Alice (Ted) Henderson, Spencer, and Helen McKinstry, Mount Vernon.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents; infant brother; and a brother-in-law, Stuart McKinstry.

Lois Arlene Folkers was born Jan. 9, 1937, in Wayne Township, Jones County, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Catherine (Harms) Folkers. Lois received her early education in the Wayne Township schools. She graduated from Monticello Community Schools with the class of 1955. In high school Lois met Larry Behrends, whom she married on Oct. 5, 1958. Lois began working for Joe Legg at the Jones County Extension Service after high school. She and Larry operated Farmers Lime Co., later changing the name to Behrends Crushed Stone. Lois and Larry owned and operated the quarry business for 42 years before retiring. Lois did all the bookwork, took phone orders and dispatched trucks via radio.

In addition to raising two daughters, she was an avid gardener and dedicated church worker. Lois taught Sunday school for over 30 years at the United Church of Monticello and at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church. She also served on several church boards and did volunteer church work, including homebound communion. She was also available to console anyone with personal problems, even though she had no formal training in this field; she helped many people through some difficult times.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at

In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorials be made to Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center or the Alzheimer's Association.