Lawrence A. Behrens

Lawrence August, son of John and Elizabeth (Sibbel) Behrens, was born February 10, 1920 at home on the farm near Roselle, Iowa. He attended rural school. Upon completing his formal education, Lawrence started farming with his father. On June 5, 1941 Lawrence was united in marriage with Justine Beckman at St. Boniface Church in Elgin, NE. They started farming and raising their seven children in Iowa just down the road from his parents' farm. He raised hogs, cattle, chickens and crops. To recognize his accomplishments, he was named Master Pork Producer in 1960. Throughout his farming career he received soil conservation awards and served on the Carroll County Extension Council. He was also a lifelong Farm Bureau member. His first tractor, a 1948 John Deere Model A, is still being used by his son Mark. Lawrence and Justine were long time members of Holy Angels Parish in Roselle. After farming for 54 years, Lawrence and Justine retired to Carroll where they became members of Holy Spirit Parish. Lawrence joined the Holy Spirit Men's Club. His wife Justine of 66 years died on November 14, 2007 and Lawrence continued to live in their home in Carroll. Lawrence died unexpectedly at St. Anthony Hospital in Carroll on Wednesday, January 26, 2011, at the age of 90 years, 11 months and 16 days. Preceding him in death are his wife Justine; son Ervin Behrens; sister Louise Behrens at age four years; brother Joseph Behrens and wife Juletta; and brother-in-law Jim Ausman. Lawrence is survived by six children: Carlene and husband Matt Murrane of Scranton; Leon Behrens and wife Diane of Omaha, NE; Myra and husband Orlin Steinkamp of Wall Lake; Norm Behrens and wife Diane of Wall Lake; Sheila and husband Gerald Hahn of Carroll and Mark Behrens and wife Kathy of Carroll; daughter-in-law Esta Raasch of Carroll; 23 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; two sisters Mary Ausman of Carroll and Irene and husband Paul Brincks of Carroll; brother John Behrens and wife Beatrice of Carroll; sister-in-law Patricia Beckman of Sugar Land, TX; other relatives and friends. CELEBRANTS REVEREND TIMOTHY JOHNSON, CELEBRANT REVEREND TIMOTHY J. BOECKELMAN, CONCELEBRANT REVEREND JOHN MCGUIRK, CONCELEBRANT Lectors ANGELA OLSON BRENDA SIEFKEN Gift Bearers CAROLYN WAGNER ELISE BEHRENS AMANDA KIELMAN LINDSEY HOMAN SHELLY FRIES KATIE BEHRENS Mass Servers WESTON SIEFKEN MAGGIE STEINKAMP Eucharistic Ministers ORLIN STEINKAMP LEON BEHRENS Music "AVE MARIA" "LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH" ABIGAIL MURRANE, VOCALIST "HOW GREAT THOU ART" NATALIE DAVIS, VOCALIST "IN THIS VERY ROOM" ABIGAIL AND NATALIE "HERE I AM, LORD" "BE NOT AFRAID" "PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS" HOLY SPIRIT CHOIR BARB MCDERMOTT, ORGANIST Casket Bearers ~ Grandsons TIM MURRANE KURT STEINKAMP DOUG STEINKAMP STEVE STEINKAMP SAM BEHRENS TONY BEHRENS ERIC BEHRENS KYLE BEHRENS EVAN BEHRENS BRENT BEHRENS