Bruno Behrends

Bruno Edward Behrends, a lifelong Cass County resident, left this earth peacefully at the Heritage House on Saturday, February 1, 2014, at the age of 102.

Bruno was born March 7, 1911, in a small home in the middle of a corn field south of Wiota, the first of four children of John and Caroline (Euken) Behrends. He began his schooling in a one-room school house having heard only German in his home and church but soon was able to speak and understand English. He graduated from Cumberland High School in 1929, planning to attend Iowa State Teachers College (now Northern Iowa) after saving money but that goal was unfulfilled as his father died suddenly in 1932, leaving him to help his mother work the farm and provide for three younger siblings. He married Fern Boseck on December 2, 1934, living briefly in a home south of Norway Center before moving to the family farm north of Cumberland where they resided until moving to Atlantic in 1988. He continued to farm the family farm until the 1960s when he began work for Federal Crop Insurance as a salesman, claims adjuster, and trainer for new personnel.

He was a lifelong member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wiota, where he served as long time deacon and held other offices. He took a great interest in the community and local sports, holding the office of secretary of the Cumberland Phone Company and Cumberland Savings Bank in the 30s, along with membership and offices in the Lion's Club, the Cass County Fair Board and many others. He played on the Cumberland Red Sox baseball team until the age of 46 at which time he became an umpire - as Fern liked to say "because his eyesight declined to where he could no longer hit a curve ball". He umpired high school, town team and others in southwest Iowa until his early 70s, including collegiate league games in Clarinda during the time Ozzie Smith played there. As a St. Louis Cardinal fan, he was thrilled to see Ozzie's success after entering the big leagues. He also played on other community baseball and basketball teams - involving a game with the Indianapolis Clowns (Hank Aaron was a player) and the Harlem Globetrotters.


Bruno was a wheelchair pusher volunteer at the Atlantic Hospital well into his 90s and made a point to wish all Heritage House residents and employees a "good morning" with a smile each day until a broken back put him into a wheel chair and 24 hour care in late 2012. He was a friend to many and always offered encouraging words and a wide smile to all. Perhaps his love of children stood out most; he was able to connect with all ages and interacted with the young carolers who came to sing for his last Christmas. His infectious smile, mischievous spirit, and caring nature will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include a son, Robert Behrends (wife Suzanne, children: Steven Behrends and Linda Grahlmann), The Villages, FL; a daughter, Karene Ridgley (husband Donald, children: Brett (Christine) Ridgley, Brenda Setlich, Beth Parmeley, Becky Boucher), Wildwood, MO; and a daughter, Shirley Noecker (husband Charles, children: Jay (Ellen) Noecker, Kelly (Matthew) McCunn, Kristin (Robert) Coers, Kerry (Mark) Krueger), Lynn Center, IL; twenty-five treasured great-grandchildren - Ryan (fiancée Erika), Kyle, Max, Jill, Aaron (wife Lindsey), Damien, Leanna, Alex, Brittany, Hannah, Nathan, Boseck (Bo), Gina, Mason, Adam, Benjamin, John, Kailey, Heather, Cole, Payton, Nathan, Emily, Drew and Grace; and three beloved great-great-grandchildren - Madelyn, Michael and Matthew; along with his loving nieces and nephews, and many cousins, including his last remaining first cousin Bill (Sherry) Freese.

Bruno looked forward to following his path to heaven and joining his loved ones who preceded him: his beloved wife of 73 years, Fern (who died in 2008); his parents; sisters, Arlene Wickey and Jeanette Lechner; and brother, Earl and their spouses.

Visitation with the family is scheduled at Hockenberry Funeral Home, Atlantic, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. this Friday, February 7, 2014

The funeral service and burial will be held at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wiota, on Saturday, February 8, at 11:30 a.m. with lunch following. Carrying their grandfather to his place of rest will be his beloved grandchildren. His cherished nieces and nephews will be in charge of flowers.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials are sent for designated use or use at the discretion of the family.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.