Edythe C Behrens

Edythe C. Behrens was called to her heavenly home Friday, November 22, 2013. She was born December 31, 1924 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Adolf and Eugenia Klug. Edythe graduated from Milwaukee Lutheran High School in 1942 and from Milwaukee Downer College in 1946. She completed her Dietetic Internship at Ancker Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1947 and was a Registered Dietician with the American Dietetic Association. It was during this internship that she met Clayton L. Behrens, M.D. They married March 7, 1948 in Hales Corners, Wisconsin and resided for several years in St. Paul where Peggy and Greg were born. They relocated to Rapid City in 1952 where Clayton was originally from and Carolyn joined the family a few years later.Edythe was a devoted mother and wife and spent many years selflessly supporting her family’s endeavors and ambitions. She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church throughout her entire time in Rapid City. She served as a choir director for 36 years and was very active in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League at the local, state, and national levels. She was a hospital volunteer in the gift shop and also worked with a local organization planning and delivering meals to the elderly. She was a local, district, and national member of the Medical Alliance. With other doctor’s spouses of that organization she enjoyed performing as a member of T.R.A.S.H., a musical entertainment group that performed locally as well as nationally. When her children were grown she again pursued her career as a consultant dietician working for The Good Samaritan Society as well as several other local nursing homes for 23 years before retiring in 1996. Throughout her later life Edythe was an avid walker accompanied by her four legged canine friends Fritz, Billie, and Frankie logging as much as 100 miles a month in their South Canyon neighborhood. Her final furry companion was Simon who visited her regularly at the Sommerset Assisted Living facility and WestHills Village HealthCare.During their retirement Edythe and Clayton were both recognized as Senior Bowlers of the Year and also shared having achieved a hole-in-one at the Executive Golf Course.Edythe is preceded in death by her husband Clayton of 60 years, her brother Eugene Klug, and her sisters Paula Kammrath and Caryl Browne. She is survived by her children Peggy (Dennis Lively), Greg (Jennifer), Carolyn, two step-grandchildren Jeff Lively and Sarah Reilly, and six step-great-grandchildren.