Bernard “Bernie” Dale Behrends, age 84, of Manhattan, died March 17, 2024, at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
He was born November 21, 1939, in Odell, Nebraska, the son of Berend and Foolke Viola (Gastman) Behrends.
Bernie attended Eighteen School, District # 69, Marysville, and then graduated from Marysville High School. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1962 with his B.S. in Industrial Education and received his M.S. in Industrial Education from Pittsburg State University.
He taught for 26 years in Industrial Education at USD # 383 in Manhattan, Preston High School in Preston, KS, and Leyden Community School in Franklin Park, IL. He also taught for 24 years as an Industrial Adult Education Instructor and worked one summer at the Goodyear plant in Topeka, KS, as a relief mechanic. After his teaching career he worked for 10 years as a Civil Service employee for Public Works and Civilian Personnel at Fort Riley. He was also active in farming in Riley and Marshall Counties.
Bernie was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Kappa Delta Pi, NEA, Kansas Industrial Education Association, and the Kansas Quality Woodworkers Association. Bernie was a member of the State Line Lutheran Church, rural Marysville, and later was an active member of the First Lutheran Church in Manhattan where he had served on Council. He had also served on the Riley County Thrivent Board and the Lomack Board for Camp Tomah Shinga.
Bernie always stayed busy and he enjoyed having projects to do on the farm, woodworking, working on his classic cars and was a bee keeper for many years.
On March 29, 1970, in Topeka, KS, he was married to Carla Cormode. Carla preceded him in death on May 13, 2020. He was also preceded in death by his brother Arnold Lee Behrends.
Survivors include his son Russell Behrends and his fiancé Kathryn “Kate” Willson of Lawrence, and a large extended family.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 5th, with luncheon to follow at the First Lutheran Church, 930 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, with Reverend Stephen Haverlah officiating. Private family committal services will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Lutheran Church. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.