Joseph J. Behnke

Joseph J. "Jay" Behnke, age 76, of 6150 Pennsylvania Ave., passed away at 4:14 p.m. Sunday, June 20, 2010, at home, surrounded by his family, following a brief battle with brain cancer. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday at the Church of the Resurrection, 4300 Asbury Road. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Behr's Funeral Home, 1491 Main St., where there will be a parish wake service at 3:00 p.m. He was born on July 12, 1933, in Dubuque, Iowa, son of Joseph A. and Lena (Krug) Behnke. Jay attended school at English Mill School House for eight years. He married Mary A. Blake on June 20, 1959, at St. Philomena's Catholic Church, Asbury, Iowa. Jay worked the farm while he was employed at John Deere Dubuque Works for 31 years. During that time, he worked as an engine repairman for Department 90, a material handler, machine operator, stock chaser and tool crib attendant. He farmed full time after his retirement. Jay enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards, the Chicago Cubs, farming and spending time with family. Survivors: his wife of 51 years, Mary A. Behnke, of Dubuque; four children, Dennis J. Behnke, of Dubuque, Donna R. (Gary) Augustin, of Cuba City, Wis., Kenneth A. Behnke, of Dubuque, Nancy M. (Keith) Hohmann, of Peosta, Iowa; 7 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren and 3 step-great-grandchildren; his siblings, Clara Bergfeld, of Farley, Iowa, Mel (Barb) Behnke, of Peosta, Iowa, Ed (Betty) Behnke, of Dubuque, Loretta (LaVerne) Freiburger, of Rickardsville, Iowa; many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews; his in-laws, David Blake, of Dubuque, Barbara Blake, of Dubuque, Pat (Loren "Toby") Kirk, of Dubuque. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law, James "Bergie" Bergfeld; a niece, Sheryl Behnke; a nephew, William "Bill" Blake; and a great-great-nephew, Roger Bergfeld III. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Resurrection Catholic Church, 4300 Asbury Road, Dubuque, Iowa 52002 or Hospice of Dubuque, 1670 Kennedy Road, Dubuque, Iowa 52002. Jay's family would like to extend a special thank you to family, friends and neighbors who assisted with farm work, house work and meals during this time of need. Special thanks to Hospice nurses Ann, Amy, Angela and Kathy, and social worker Amy who helped us through this difficult time. Thanks also to Dr. Hermann, Dr. Johnson and the Rehab staff at Finley Hospital.