Norma E. Behnke, 66, of 1124 S. Lake Street, Manitowoc, died Wednesday evening
at the Holy Family Memorial Medical Center, Manitowoc, after a courageous battle
with cancer. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 3, 9:30 a.m. at the
Pfeffer Funeral Home and 10 a.m. at the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Manitowoc.
Officiating the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Gerald Prusakowski
O.F.M. with burial to follow in the St. Patrick Church Cemetery, Maple Grove,
Wis.
She was born August 25, 1924, in Valders, Wis., daughter of the late Joseph and
Elizabeth (Bessie) Robinison Schmidt. She married Elroy D. Behnke on May 21,
1946 in Clarks Mills, Wis. He preceded her in death on March 17, 1970. She then
married Kenneth Ollendorf on February 17, 1972 in Manitowoc. She was a former
Reedsville resident moving to Manitowoc in 1972 and was employed with the Lakeside
Packing Company for 16 years. She then continued her employment with the North
Ridge Care Center from 1972 until her retirement in 1986. Mrs. Behnke was a member
of the Manitowoc Eagles Auxiliary 706.
Survivors include her mother, Elizabeth Robinson Schmidt of Whitelaw; three
daughters, Norma Howe of Manitowoc, Geraldine Behnke of Manitowoc, Mary Behnke
and friend, Craig Nichols, of Manitowoc; seven sons and three daughters-in-law,
Arthur and Janice Behnke of Brillion; Donald and Sherry Ollendorf Behnke of
Wyoming; Richard and Kim Behnke of Manitowoc; Robert Behnke of Two Rivers; James
Behnke of Manitowoc; John Behnke and friend, Vicki Holmes of Mishicot; Gerald
Behnke and friend, Debbie Thompson of Manitowoc; two sisters and one brother-in-
law, Everalda Schmidt and Gene Wachs of Milwaukee; Mary Ann and Ron Kuusisto of
Menasha; six brothers and four sisters-in-law, Eugene and Betty Schmidt of
Reedsville; Donald and Mary Jane Schmidt of Plymouth; Paul and Bev Schmidt of
Manitowoc; Loyle and Ruth Schmidt of Manitowoc; also surviving are 16 grandchildren,
Michelle and Michael Howe, Francis (J.R.) Seebantz Jr., Jo Anne, Jay, Janie, Sonya,
Shane, Joshua, Travis, John Jr., Shelby, Holly, Eric, Jeremiah and LeAnn Behnke;
also surviving are nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded
in death by four children, Elroy Jr. (Rusty), Paul Lee, two infant children, one
grandson, Kelly Behnke on September 2, 1987.
Friends may at the Pfeffer Funeral Home on Sunday from 408 p.m. where the Eagles
Auxiliary 706 will conduct a service at 7:15 p.m. followed by the prayer service
at 7:30 p.m. by Father Jerry.
Manitowoc Herald Times – Thursday, May 30, 1991 – page B9
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(25 Aug 1924/May 1991/SSDI)