James Behne 04/04/2024

James A. Behne, age 80, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Regions Hospital, in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Jim was born to Bill and Elsie Behne on November 23, 1943, in Geneva, Illinois and graduated from Cumberland High School in 1962.  Shortly thereafter, Jim met the love of his life, Shirley Fankhauser.  On September 18, 1965, Jim and Shirley eloped at Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, Iowa.

Jim was a man of faith, family and friends.

He was a self-made man that hand built a home to raise his family, worked tirelessly to provide for them and elevated himself with expanding his knowledge throughout his life.  As his family grew so did he, with pride knowing he was doing everything he could to give them a loving safe and nurturing home.  His family knew it, admired him for it and was thankful to have such a caring husband and father.

His love for the outdoors brought him so much joy.  It was there he loved spending time with family and friends creating lasting memories and stories of hunting, fishing, camping and adventures.  The smile on his face while telling or hearing others tell the stories told it all.

While he was a mechanical engineer by profession, he was a train engineer at heart.  He loved the trains and working on his model railroad whether it be by himself or with others that shared the same love.  There too he would make lasting friendships and memories.

His love for God was second to none and brought him so much joy.  It shined through his words, thoughts and deeds.  He enjoyed serving at church, bible studies, the fellowship, the friendships and growing his faith in God knowing one day he would be with Him.

Those that knew him were the lucky ones.  If you needed help, you wouldn’t even need to ask.  Jim was there to offer all he could.

When posed with the question of death he would reply “I have lived a good life”.  To those that knew him he lived a great life , was a great husband, father and friend to all that would let him .  He was counted on, loved and cherished by many and will be terribly missed but fondly remembered.

Jim was greeted in heaven by his parents, Bill & Elsie Behne; his granddaughter, Morgan Behne; brothers-in-law, Ron Johnson and Norm Fankhauser; sister-in-law, Diane Fankhause; and his niece, Stacie Fankhauser.

Jim will be greatly missed by his wife of 58 years Shirley; his children, Darrin (Traci) Behne, Jon (Paula) Behne & Susan (Matt) Coyne;  his grandchildren, Alexandra Behne, Kristen (Lucas Bjur) Behne, Megan (Ben) Cook, Brianna Behne, Cassandra (Paul) Butler, Chance Behne, Daniel and Lucas Coyne; his great grandchildren, Killian and Theodore Cook, Caden  Faulk, Rihanna Garcia and Max and Caleb Butler;  his sister, Patricia Johnson; his brother, Michael (Cheryl) Behne and many other beloved relatives and friends.

Visitation and a celebration of life for Jim was held on Sunday, April 21^st at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church (365 West River Drive) New Richmond, Wisconsin.  Visitation started at 1:00PM and the service at 3:00PM.   Arrangements are with Bakken -Young Funeral and Cremation Services.