Elmer Martin Behrens

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
ELMER M. BEHRENS

BORN
May 24, 1935 ~ Rural George, Iowa
PASSED AWAY
December 21, 2018 ~ Sheldon, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE
10:30 A.M. Monday, December 24, 2018
St. Paul Lutheran Church; Sheldon, Iowa
Rev. Craig Nissen ~ Officiating

Visitation with the family present
will be from 9:30 – 10:30 AM on Monday, December 24, 2018
at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheldon, Iowa.

MUSIC
“I Was There To Hear You Borning Cry”
Sung by: Susan Lichty
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
“Amazing Grace”
“Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling”
“Precious Lord Take My Hand”
Organist: Carleen Kehrberg

CASKET BEARERS
Donald Behrens Curtis Behrens
Mark Behrens Paul Sohl
Philip Behrens Peter Behrens
Rodney Schisel Bradley Schisel
Daniel Schisel

FINAL RESTING PLACE
Private Family Burial at a Later Date
St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery ~ Sheldon, Iowa

Memorials may be left to
St. Paul Lutheran Church Memorial Fund ~ Sheldon

After today’s service relatives and friends are invited
to join the family in the fellowship hall of the church.

Arrangements are under the care of the:
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home; Sheldon, Iowa

ELMER M. BEHRENS

Elmer Martin Behrens, the son of August J. and Marie (Woelber) Behrens, was born May 24, 1935 in rural George, Iowa. He attended country school near George and graduated from the George High School. He went on to attend Wartburg College in Waverly, IA and then graduating from Iowa State University in Ames, IA. Elmer served in the United States Army from 1955 – 1957. On June 19, 1960, he was united in marriage to Pauline Faye DeVries in Rock Rapids, IA. After their marriage the couple lived in various communities of Collins, Boyden, Sheldon, Carroll and Bondurant, IA and Hills and Marshall, MN. Elmer had worked in sales for Land-O-Lakes for 30 years, a sales manager for Farm Credit Services for 2 years and as a real estate agent for ARI in Sheldon for 17 years, retiring in 2003. His wife, Pauline preceded him in death on March 17, 1997. Elmer remained in his home until passing away on Friday, December 21, 2018 at the Sanford Sheldon Medical Center in Sheldon, reaching the age of 83 years, 6 months and 21 days.
He was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheldon and serving on the church council. He was a past member of churches in Hull, Carroll and Ankeny, IA and Hills and Marshall, MN. He also served the ELCA with Mission Churches in Marshall, MN, Carroll and Ankeny, IA. Elmer helped with Meals-on-Wheels and LOVE Inc. with Transportation Request. He was active with Early Risers Bible Study and enjoyed traveling in his motorhome with family. He enjoyed attending the Behrens and DeVries Family Reunions, his Canadian Fishing Trips, family time at the Minnesota Cabin, and especially spending time with Kathy and Ross in Iowa, Georgia, North Carolina, Nebraska, Idaho and Oregon.
He leaves to cherish his memories his 2 children, Ross Behrens of Creswell, OR; Kathy Jo Sigmund of Redfield, IA and a son-in-law Jeffrey Sigmund of Dudley, NC; 2 grandsons, Joshua and Zachrey Sigmund; a brother, William (Ruth) Behrens of Westminster, CO; 3 sisters, Verna (Robert) Sohl of Mt. Pleasant, SC; Wilma (Don) Ransom of Sheldon, IA; Betty Schisel of Mankato, MN; 2 sisters-in-law, Helen and Miriam Behrens both of George, IA and many other relatives, nieces, nephews and many friends.
Elmer was proceeded in death by his wife, Pauline; his parents, 4 brothers, Arnold, Harley, Walter and Vernon; a sister, Frances and a brother-in-law, Don Schisel.


Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle Autumn’s rain.

When you awake in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplighting rush of
quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I do not die.