Luella Behm

Luella D. Behm, age 94, of Atwater, died Monday evening, March 9, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 13, at St. John Lutheran Church near Atwater. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at the Peterson Brothers Atwater Funeral Home and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Memorials are preferred to St. John Lutheran Church, Concordia University-St. Paul, or Atwater Area Help for Seniors.

Luella Dorothy Behm was born on October 15, 1920 in Harrison Township, Kandiyohi County, MN to John and Louise (Becker) Mahn. She was baptized on October 15, 1920 and confirmed on March 25, 1934 at St. John Lutheran Church of Atwater and graduated Salutatorian in 1938 from Atwater High School. On October 15, 1939 she was married to Marvin Behm and they lived and farmed northwest of Atwater. They were married for 58 years. Marvin passed away February 28, 1997. Luella was very active in the Ladies Aid and LWML at St. John Lutheran Church where she also taught Sunday School. She was a volunteer for the Atwater Area Block Nurse program, visiting the shut-ins and the elderly. She spent winters in Arizona until the age of 93. Luella's life centered around her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had a great love for the Lord and was a dedicated servant to the Lutheran Church. Luella was especially grateful to her special niece, Ardy Johnson, who drove her to church after she could no longer drive.

She is survived by her children, Ken (Alix) Behm of Willmar, Carol (Ben) Brown of Fairfax, Gordon (Betty) Behm of Atwater, Myron (Myra) Behm of Atwater, and Debra (Bill) Paterson of Willmar; 12 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is one sister-in-law, Margaret Lorensen; and many friends and relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Marvin; and two brothers, Alvin (Lucille), and Raymond Mahn.

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