IRON MOUNTAIN — Walter L. Behnke, 91, of Niagara went to be with the Lord on Monday, Oct. 14, 2002, at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital in Iron Mountain.

Walter was born Sept. 11, 1911, in Little River, Wis., son of the late Charles and Bertha (Seefeldt) Behnke.
He married Mildred Schmieder on June 29, 1940, in Brillion, Wis.

Walter moved his family to the area in the early 1940s. He was quite the woodsman. After working in the woods he went on to work for Champion Gravel, then to Kimberly Clark, where he retired after 25 years of service.
When Walter was not tinkering with old motors, he would be working in his vegetable garden or playing cards with his spouse of 62 years.

He truly enjoyed the annual fishing trip with his sons, sons-in-law and grandsons. He also enjoyed watching baseball and hunting.
Mr. Behnke was a long standing member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church.

He leaves his wife, Mildred; three daughters, Judi (Bernie) Powell of Niagara, Pat (Ray) Chrisman of Aurora and Mary Ann (Mike) Hansen of Quinnesec; two sons, Ron (Nancy) and Don (Sue) of Niagara; two sisters, Elsie Dassow and Theresa Colette; 12 grandchildren, Tracy Coward, Cindy Duncan, Blake Brown, Darwin, Jack, Wayne and Troy Chrisman, Wally, Gordon, Jennifer and Robert Behnke, and Joseph Hansen; six great-grandchildren, Devae and Holly Duncan, Lauren Coward, Sawyer, Tyler and Hunter Chrisman, and many nieces and nephews.
Walter was preceded in death by six brothers; two sisters, and a grandson, James Behnke.

Visitation was held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. today at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain.
Funeral services were at 11 a.m. today at the church. Rev. Paul Meitner officiated.
Burial was in Niagara Cemetery.
The Tondin-Ross & Freeman Funeral Home of Iron Mountain is in charge of arrangements.
Walter will be remembered by his friends and family for his kind and generous ways. He will be greatly missed and forever loved by his family.

Obituary for Walter L. Behnke. Mining Journal. (17 Oct 2002) Iron Mountain, Michigan.