Clyna Louise Behnke

Clyna Louise Behnke passed peacefully on the morning of April 19th in Sandusky, Ohio, joining her beloved husband, Douglas, in Heaven. Born in Norwalk, Ohio, on July 12th, 1933, Clyna was the cherished only child of Gustav and Elfrieda Fauser, German immigrants who welcomed her later in their lives.
Her love story with Doug began on the shores of Lake Erie, where high school friends gathered to swim at Battery Park. Doug, a lifeguard at the time, taught her how to swim - and later, how to build a life full of laughter, love, and community. The two became engaged while Doug was serving in the Coast Guard in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and they were married on April 2nd, 1955. Clyna embraced the adventure of living in a new state and meeting new people, but her heart ultimately led her and Doug home to Ohio after the birth of their first daughter, Susan. Together, she and Doug raised four daughters - Susan, Carol, Sandy, and Laurie - with a deep devotion to faith, family, and togetherness. A devoted mother and active member of her church, Clyna volunteered with Band Parents and Luther League, always showing up with warmth and generosity. Her home was a hub of hospitality, filled with laughter and the comforting smells of backyard barbecues, pool parties, and progressive dinners. She and Doug welcomed everyone - friends, family, and neighbors alike - with open arms. Clyna enjoyed her many years working as a receptionist at Dr. Rafeeq's Allergy/Immunology Clinic.
Clyna is survived by her four daughters and their husbands: Susan and Peter Newman, Carol and Dave Chauvin, Sandy and Fred Seavey, and Laurie and Rich Obergefell. Her legacy lives on in her beloved grandchildren: Ryan Newman, Caitlin Adams and her husband Nick, and their children, Theodore, Benjamin, and Margot, Maureen Newman and her partner Zach Powers, John Chauvin and his wife Abby, Meredith Chauvin, Mac Seavey and his wife Alex, Ethan Seavey and his partner Elijah Small, and Kylie and Kelsey Obergefell. She is also survived by her treasured nephew and his wife, Doug and Becky Ricci, cousin and dear friend, John Schick, and "son" Dr. Ed Radatz. Her two faithful canine companions, George and Gracey, remained loyally by her side until her passing, along with the ever-elusive woodchuck living beneath Doug's old workshop, who was a source of both ire and entertainment for Clyna and the dogs. Clyna also had a wonderful medical team. Our heartfelt gratitude to friend and family doctor for many years, Dr. Paul Bruner and his staff, Carrie Wilkenson RN, Care Coordinator, Katie Dembroski NP, Firelands Hematology, Keith Kralic, Physical Therapist, and Mark Merzweiler, family friend and caregiver, Clyna was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Doug, and her dear childhood best friend, Regina Jameson Braden.
Clyna supported many charities. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to Back to the Wild, Castalia, Ohio or Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Clyna's family finds comfort in knowing she is reunited with Doug, likely hosting a heavenly dinner already. She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 11 A.M. in Woodlawn Cemetery, Norwalk. Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be made to the family by visiting toftfuneralhome.com.