LYONS — Bea Lorraine Behnke, 88, of Lyons, Kan., passed away Sept. 17, 2024, at Hospital District #1 of Rice County, Lyons. She was born Feb. 9, 1936, on the family farm in Davenport, Neb., the daughter of Harold Robert and Bertha Mable (Houseman) Grone. 

Bea has resided in Lyons since 2019, formerly of Wichita, Newton, Leawood, and Bushton, Kan. She graduated from Davenport High School, Davenport, Neb., with the class of 1953, and later attended McPherson College. Bea was a farm wife and Amway Business owner. 

Bea is a member of the Salem Church, Bushton and Faith Bible Church since moving to Lyons. She enjoyed cross stitch, playing piano, giving piano lessons, and traveling. Bea lived four months in Germany on an extended vacation. She and Melvin took their grandchildren to all of the 50 state capitals. On Jan. 22, 1956, Bea was united in marriage with Melvin Jon Behnke in Carleton, Neb. He preceded her in death on Feb. 22, 2022. She is also preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Harley Grone and Hollis Grone; and foster son, David Baker. 

Bea is survived by her two sons, Michael Jon Behnke of Bushton, Kan., and Steven Douglas Behnke and wife Becky of Lyons, Kan.; foster son, Danny Baker and wife Marci of Tucson, Ariz.; three grandchildren, Jacob Behnke and wife Jessica, Jared Behnke and wife Lindsey, and Stacey Jezek and husband Brent; six great-grandchildren and one on the way; and special friend and caregiver, Karen Van Allen of Lorraine, Kan. 

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at Salem Church, Bushton. A private family burial was held at the Salem-Friedhof Cemetery, Bushton. Memorials may be given to Salem Church (for the maintenance of the Salem-Friedhof Cemetery) in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Birzer Funeral Homes

214 West Ave. South

Lyons, KS  67554

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Nov. 14, 2024