Obituary: Glen R. Behnke

Glen R. Behnke, age 81, of rural Brillion, passed away Saturday morning, April 12, 2025 at his home on the family farm. 

Glen was born on August 8, 1943 on the family farm, son of the late Raymond and Viola (Schaefer) Behnke. He was a graduate of Reedsville High School with the class of 1961. After high school, he graduated from the Farm & Industry Short Course at U.W. Madison. On October 12, 1963 he married the former Geraldine Riemer at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rantoul. Glen and Geraldine ran the family farm for many years together, until their daughter and son-in-law took over as 5th generation farmers. He also plowed snow for the Town of Rockland for over 50 years. Glen did local trucking for 24 years, worked at Ariens for 12 years and lastly worked at Equity in Reedsville for 5 years. He was a member of St. John – St. James Lutheran church in Reedsville where he served as an elder and an usher. Glen was also a member of the Collins Volunteer Fire Department and the Rockea Hunting Club. In his spare time, he enjoyed watching the Packers, Reedsville Basketball and all of his grandchildren’s sporting events. Glen also enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, hunting, raising steers, Polka dancing with his lovely wife and was known for being the jellybean Grandpa. 

Survivors include his wife: Geraldine Behnke; their children: Shirley (Daniel) Dallmann, DuWayne (Renee) Behnke, Dean (Rose) Behnke; seven grandchildren: Nick (Janessa) Dallmann, Lindsay (Travis) Hansen; Cooper, Emma, Maggie, Desirae and Cambria Behnke; five great grandchildren: Abbi, Jack, Colten, Colby and Kennedi; one sister: Carol Jean Arenz; one brother-in-law: Douglas Riemer. Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister: Viorene (Charles) Lemke; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Martin and Margaret Riemer; two brothers-in-law: Gerald Arenz and Roger (Delores) Riemer.

 Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at St. John – St. James Lutheran Church, Reedsville. Officiating at the service will be the Rev. Thad Flitter with burial to follow in the church cemetery. 

The family will greet relatives and friends at church from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. 

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.pielhop.com. 

The Pielhop Funeral Homes of Brillion & Reedsville are assisting the family with funeral arrangements.