Obituary: Harlan Behnke
Harlan was born in Loganville, Wisconsin to Carl Behnke and Ellen (Soltwedel) Behnke on October 1, 1934. He attended Rock Springs grade school and later attended Reedsburg High School, where he was actively involved in sports.
After graduation, Harlan enlisted in the United State Marine Corp. He served in the Korean War and was honorably discharged. He met his first wife Helen (nee Rhone) in 1956 and they were married in 1957. He became a father in December of 1957.
Harlan attended Milwaukee School of Engineering and after his graduation there, was employed by General Electric. This started an adventure for Harlan and his young family, as his new employment caused frequent moves. He and his family, moved to New York, North Carolina, Kentucky, Illinois, Arizona, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. During this time period, Harlan changed employers and worked for Honeywell Information Systems, which eventually, became Honeywell Bull. This became an opportunity of world travel to France, England, Italy, and South Korea.
Harlan always enjoyed being able to come back to Rock Springs, to venture on summer fishing trips with his family, golf games at the Country Club and a visit to a favorite tavern to see his friends, play some cards and enjoy a good Friday night fish fry.
Upon his retirement from Honeywell, he and Helen, retired to the family home in Rock Springs and he became regularly active in community events. He served as President of the Village of Rock Springs and was always looking for ways to help the small little town that he called home, succeed. He was an active member in his church, St. John Lutheran, in Rock Springs.
His wife Helen passed away in 2016 and after a while, he had the good fortune to be introduced to Patricia Doyle Kautzer. Patricia and Harlan were married on November 30, 2019 and took up residence in her home in Reedsburg. He enjoyed love, family and friends in the last year of his life.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Behnke, his daughter, Kimberly Beals (Peyton) of Massachusetts, granddaughter Colleen Beals of Rhode Island, brother, Robert (Mary) Behnke of Nashville, TN, sister Mary Ellen Potter (Dennis) of Neenah, Wisconsin, niece, Stephanie Meyers (Mike) and nephews, Rob Behnke (Christy) and Brian Potter (Keri).
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Ellen Behnke, his wife Helen, sister Beverly Ann, and a niece Chrissy Potter.
Funeral services for Harlan will be conducted at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church in Rock Springs with Pastor David Karow officiating. Military honors will follow the service. Visitation was on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at the Farber Funeral Home in Reedsburg, and will also be on Thursday from 9:30 A.M. until the time of the service at the church. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, Rock Springs at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials of remembrance may be made to St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, Rock Springs.
