Lorenz F. Behrens

          Lorenz F. Behrens, 91, a former resident of Eldridge, Iowa died on Sunday, December 24, 2023, at the McLean County Nursing Home in Normal, Illinois.

          Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, January 5, 2024, at Faith Lutheran Church in Eldridge.  Burial will be in Mt. Joy Cemetery in Park View, Iowa where military honors will be conducted.  Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday at Chambers Funeral Home in Eldridge and from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Friday at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Camp Courageous, the Hoover Presidential Library or Faith Lutheran Church.

          Lorenz was born in Bremer County, Iowa on September 23, 1932, the son of Otto and Charlotte (Steinbeck) Behrens and was a graduate of Upper Iowa University.

During the Korean Conflict, he served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1955. On September 7, 1957, he was united in marriage to Marian L. Kelly in Randalia, Iowa.  She preceded him in death on May 8, 2021.

          He retired in 1994 as the Comptroller at the Eldridge Co-Op after 25 years of service.  After retirement, he continued to work part-time at the River Valley Co-Op for 18 years.  In earlier years, he worked at the Maquoketa Valley Co-Op.

          Lorenz was a member of Faith Lutheran Church of Eldridge, the Eldridge Lions Club, the Eldridge American Legion Post 639 and the Eldridge Chamber of Commerce.  In addition, he was a trustee of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and a life-member of the Iowa State Historical Society.  The Lions International recognized Lorenz with the Melvin Jones Fellow Award, the Warren Coleman Honorary Award for his service to the community and the Lions.  In 2004, the North Scott Chamber of Commerce recognized him as Volunteer of the Year.  In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf and fishing.

          Those left to honor his memory include his son, Martin (Susan Bassie) Behrens of Normal, Illinois; his daughter-in-law, Bobbie Behrens of Long Grove, Iowa; his grandchildren, Tobias (Stephanie) Behrens, Amanda (Rick) Dryole and Nate (Jaime) Noel; his great-grandchildren, Zac, Ethan, Fynn, Caden, Annika and Kai; and his sisters, Ursula Cordes of Arlington, Iowa and Marlys Schoephoerster of Dunkerton, Iowa.

          The family would like to recognize the great care provided to Lorenz over the last few years by the staff of Luther Oaks, Transitions Hospice, and the McLean County Nursing Home.  The family would especially like to express their gratitude to Cindy Mattson Ashmore for her attention and joy she provided Lorenz over the last few years.

          In addition to his wife Marian, Lorenz was preceded in death by his son, Terry Behrens in 2018; and his brother, Gint Behrens.

          Condolences may be expressed to the family by viewing his obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.