Karen D. Behnke, age 80, of Sheboygan Falls, died on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at the Pine Haven Christian Home in Sheboygan Falls. She was born in Manitowoc on May 25, 1943, the daughter of the late Orville Becker and Louise Kluenker Kempfert.
Karen attended high school at the Winnebago Lutheran Academy in Fond du Lac. On June 19, 1965, she was united in marriage to Dallas F. Behnke at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Manitowoc. Dallas preceded her in death on March 10, 2012. Karen took immense pride in raising her seven children, and she enjoyed gardening, bird watching, and spending time with family. She was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Sheboygan, where she served in the choir and altar guild.
Survivors include her seven children, Katherine (Jim) Partain, of Springfield, VA, Dallas (Sue) Behnke II, of Sheboygan, Denver Behnke, of Greensboro, NC, Dayton (Misty) Behnke, of Grafton, Kirsten (Jens) Jasperson, of Tigard, OR, Kelly (Stephen) Katz, of Francis Creek, WI, and Kari (Collin) McCaffery, of Longmeadow, MA; grandchildren, William and Grace Partain, Austin Behnke, Violet, Daniel, and Arabelle Behnke, Alayna and Abigail Behnke, Micah, Lyla, and Lily Jasperson, Emily Behnke, Tyler and Henry Katz, Liam and Levi McCaffery; a sister, LouAnne Thoni, of Janesville; her brother, Donald (Theresa) Becker, of Pewaukee; and her brother-in-law, Leslie Behnke and sister-in-law, Audrey Behnke. Many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends further survive. Her husband, a brother and sister-in-law, Orville and Sharon Becker, granddaughter, Paige Behnke, brothers-in-law, John Thoni and Fritz Behnke, and her sister-in-law, Esther Behnke, all preceded her in death.
A funeral service for Karen will be held on Friday, May 10, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2132 N. 27th Street, Sheboygan, with Pastor Daniel Voigt officiating. Family and friends may gather at the church on Friday morning from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at the Sheboygan Falls Cemetery.
A memorial fund in Karen’s name has been established, contributions may be directed to Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church. A heartfelt thank you is extended to the compassionate staff at Pine Haven and the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.
The Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.reinboldfh.com
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