Obituary of Gerald Charles Behnke

Gerald Charles Behnke, age 80, of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, passed away on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Gerald was born on the family farm in Rome, Wisconsin on July 8, 1932, the son of Emil and Regina (Ruidl) Behnke. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1951. On June 7, 1958, Jerry married Sandra J. Ruegg at St. Luke's Church in Watertown, Wisconsin. Sandra preceded him in death on August 14, 2000. Jerry was a resident of Jefferson for 44 years before moving to Fort Atkinson in 2005. Jerry worked for 30 years at Schweiger Industries and Borg Textile in Jefferson, Wisconsin and did office cleaning for 18 years, retiring in 2000. Jerry was a volunteer with the Fort Health Care Partners, was a team leader for Tomorrow's Hope, and a member of AARP. Surviving are: His children: Scott (Amy) Behnke, North Prairie, WI and Shelby (Tom) Schoenherr, Fort Atkinson, WI, Grandchildren: Alex and Bret Behnke and Robin and Brady Schoenherr, and Special Friend: Gloria Kuchenbecker, Fort Atkinson, WI Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and a brother Ralph Behnke. Funeral Services will be held at 2PM on Friday, November 9, 2012 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson, WI with Rev. Ethan Steinbrenner and Rev. Steven Wilkens officiating. Burial will be in the Union Cemetery, Jefferson, Wisconsin. Friends may call from 4-7PM on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at the Nitardy Funeral Home, Fort Atkinson, WI and after 1PM on Friday, November 9, 2012 at the church until the services. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial to Bethany Lutheran Church, Fort Atkinson, WI or to Tomorrow's Hope, Jefferson, WI.