Dan Lee Behaunek

Dan Lee Behaunek, 68, of Belle Plaine passed away on Saturday, Sept. 30, at his home surrounded by family. Dan was born on Feb. 3, 1955, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Fred and Nadine Behaunek. Growing up in the country east of Belle Plaine, he attended Buckeye Country School and then Belle Plaine schools, serving as senior class president, the 1973-74 Iowa State FFA Vice President, and the 1974-75 Iowa State FFA President. After graduation from Belle Plaine High School, he attended Kirkwood Community College for automotive collision repair. After starting his career at East Side Body Shop in Belle Plaine, he returned to Kirkwood to teach the program in 1979. He continued teaching at Kirkwood for 44 years, ending his service at Kirkwood in September 2023. On April 30, 1977, Dan married Mary Becker from Watkins, Iowa. They made a home on a farm east of Belle Plaine, renovating his grandparents' house. Eventually, the homestead would also have his shop, where he repaired countless vehicles. He was constantly working with Mary to improve the house, shed, and yard, and create a home to be proud of. Over the years, Dan loved playing rolle bolle, Snap-On Tools, Corvettes and car shows, antiques, Chevys (especially white ones), fixing things, spending time with family and friends, tinkering with new hobbies, and serving his community. He strived to make the world better in any way he could by helping those around him who needed it, and always answered the phone when we needed advice, support, or vehicle fixes. He loved to give nicknames to others, and even until the end, his sense of humor was bringing joy and laughter to those around him. There wasn't a stranger to Dan; he instantly befriended anyone he met. He will be remembered fondly by the hundreds of students he taught, and the way he always answered the shop phone, "Body Shop, Dan" in his distinctive voice. He always felt he was "having a blast" at Kirkwood, and dedicated his career to mentoring, instructing, and developing students in the shop. He was so proud of his students, the trips to SkillsUSA nationals, and the connections he formed within the body shop communities in Iowa. Dan is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary; two children, Luke (Leslie) Behaunek of Norwalk, Iowa, and Ashley (Ryan) Marie of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; three grandchildren, Finnlee, Pierce and Reier; and sister, Cindy (Chuck) Becker. He is also survived by his niece, Jenny (Jeff) Brouwer and family; nephew, Lee (Monica) Becker and family; and many more relatives. Dan was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law Wilbert and Dorothy Becker, brothers-in-law Ed Becker and Vic Becker; and nephews Zach Becker and Nic Becker. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 6, 2023 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Belle Plaine, Iowa. Mass will also be livestreamed through the funeral home Facebook page. Burial will take place at International Cemetery, Luzerne, Iowa. The family encourages casual dress at the services, as Dan would have wanted. Visitation will be held at Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service in Belle Plaine, Iowa, on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, from 4 to 8 p.m., with a wake service at 8 p.m. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.neuhausfuneralservice.com. Any memorials directed to the family will be put toward student scholarships in Dan's name.