Jim Behrends

James Darrel "Jim" Behrends, 60, of Mason City passed away as the result of a tragic accident on Saturday, August 5, 2023. Jim was born on June 16, 1963 to Darrel and Anna (Swaar) Behrends as part of a multi-generational family of farmers in Mason County. Farming was in his blood, and he thoroughly enjoyed it. As a young man, he was actively involved in 4-H and the Future Farmers of America. He pursued his education at the University of Illinois, graduating in 1985 with a dual bachelor's of science in animal science and agronomy. Jim will always be remembered by those who loved him for his kindness, his strong work ethic, his far-ranging talents and interests, and his caring, loving dedication to his wife and family. Jim was a devotee of Star Trek, he enjoyed making models with Legos and cartoons, and he loved animals and cared for them in exceptional ways. Jim loved to laugh and tell a good joke (or a bad one). He was a craft beer enthusiast and enjoyed sharing that with others who appreciated good conversation and laughs, most recently sitting on his back patio with his beloved cousins Lisa and Molly Steffens.
Jim was devoted to his wife and family. He met the love of his life, Leonda Markee, in Room 0 of the Sycamore Lodge. They were married on December 16, 1989 in Havana. After their marriage, Jim and Leonda moved to New York City and lived in New York and Connecticut for the next 27 years. During those years, he and Leonda became parents to their two precious daughters, Kim and Liz. His keen analytic skills were utilized as a systems technician at Konica Minolta Business Systems for over 20 years. In 2015, he returned to farming at the family farm in Mason City. Jim deeply loved his wife, Leonda. They were inseparable and she is left to mourn him. He also leaves his precious daughters Kim (James) Haywood of Rushville, and Liz M.B. (Adi) Yadav, of Medford, Massachusetts. Nothing gave him greater joy than his three grandchildren: Pearl Haywood, A.J. Haywood, and Akira Yadav. He is survived by his parents, with whom he farmed, Darrel and Anna Behrends of Mason City, his sister Martha (Mark) Konzelman of Medina, Ohio, his German brother, Jan (Frauke) Wenzelburger, his sister-in-law, Linda Markee, his nephew and niece, Nathan Markee and Alisha Markee-Ala, all of Easthampton, Massachusetts. Jim's surviving extended family includes: his uncles and aunts, Darwyn Behrends of Mason City, Joe (Mary Rose) Behrends of Urbana, Bob (Sarah Jane) Swaar of Greenview, Kathy Swaar of Lincoln, John Swaar of Shelbyville, and his many cousins. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Walter and Florence Behrends and Mac and Elsie Swaar, his uncle Bill Swaar, and aunt Roselyn Behrends.
A Memorial Service honoring Jim's life will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Hurley Funeral Home in Mason City. Coffee and pie will be served at the American Legion in Mason City after the service. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 11, 2023 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM also at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made either to the Illinois Junior Hereford Association or the Mason County Pets without Parents, 29926 Illinois Rt 10, Mason City, IL. 62664. Online condolences can be left at www.hurleyfh.com. Hurley Funeral Home in Mason City is in charge of the arrangements.