Lester "Kize" Behrends, 96, of Siren, WI, died August 17, 2021 at Indianhead Medical Center, Shell Lake, WI.

Survivors include his children, Jackie (Rodney) Moody Clam Falls, WI, Reg (Mary) Behrends of Drummond, WI, Randy (Debbie) Behrends of Siren, WI, Becky (Beth) Behrends of River Falls WI; 7 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Mabel (Passow) Behrends; son, Tony who drowned in the St. Croix River at the age of 20; his wife, Doris (Jones) Behrends who died in February 2002; great-grandson, Trevor Davis who passed away in 2020; sisters, LaVerna, Deva and Darlene; brothers, Dale, Virgil and Don who passed away at birth.

Lester was born December 12, 1924 on a farm at Pomeroy, IA.

At the age of one the family moved to a farm just west of Pomeroy where it is still the Behrends farm. Lester went to Immanuel Lutheran school through 8th grade and then to Pomeroy High School. He married Doris Jones on June 3, 1945. He served in the Army Air Corp, after that he and Doris worked on the Blanding farm with Doris's folks, Ernest and Vesta Jones for 5 years. Then Lester and Doris farmed a farm at Galva Iowa for 5 years. After that they bought a dairy farm near Clam Falls, WI. During that time Doris worked at the yo-yo plant in Luck, and Lester worked at North States Wood Products where he became plant manager for a number of years. Later he worked for 3M Company of Pine City for 20 years. He retired on Dec. 31, 1986. They bought their retirement home in 1986. After retirement he bought and remodeled many older homes. He sold these homes to young families. He was also their financial counselor and sometimes marriage counselor. He was a member of the American Legion Post 185 for 47 years. Lester was a member of Clam Falls Lutheran Church for many years. Lester was a true gentleman, a loving father and grandfather. He will be dearly missed by his family, church family and neighbors, all who enjoyed his soft spoken caring sense of humor.

Private family services are being held. Public is welcome to attend burial at Anscarius Cemetery, 4 miles east of Grantsburg on Hwy 70, 1 mile west of Alpha, on Tuesday, August 24th at 1:00 p.m.

Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home.

Last Update: Aug 23, 2021 12:59 pm CDT