Paul Wilke Behrends

April 7, 1923 –Nov. 5, 2025   

  Paul Wilke Behrends, 102, died peacefully in his sleep at the Solon Retirement Village, Nov. 5, 2025.

      Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church, with a visitation at 10 a.m. A lunch followed the service. There will be a private interment in Oakwood Cemetery. Pastors Wade Reddy and Phil Jorgensen officiated the service. Memorials can be directed to Wayne Zion Lutheran Church, 15531 Co Rd E17, Monticello, IA 52310 or Camp Courageous, 12007 190th St., Monticello, IA 52310.

      Paul Behrends was born April 7, 1923, in Jones County, Monticello, Iowa, the son of Wilke and Dora (Schatz) Behrends. He attended country school in Castle Grove Township and graduated from Monticello High School in 1939. On Nov. 28, 1946, he married Donna Mae White at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Monticello. They farmed in the Anamosa and Hopkinton area until 1969 when they moved to Monticello. Throughout his life, and well into the years when most people thought about retirement, he owned the Behrends Family Store, sold insurance, drove a truck, and got his real estate license. For many years after those endeavors, he did volunteer work at Camp Courageous in Monticello and drove Jones County residents to their medical appointments in Cedar Rapids. Paul loved euchre, bowling, golf, going to Bible study, and taking a drive through the countryside. His church and his faith as a member of Wayne Zion Lutheran Church were his guiding light. He was an inspiration in how to age with purpose and vigor, always maintaining his amazing sense of humor.

      Paul was proceeded in death by his parents; his wife Donna; his sister Leona Holub; grandson Corey Weitnauer; son-in-law Doug Weitnauer; and a special friend, Betty Lou McVay.

      Surviving are his three children, Paula (Wayne) Sunday, Kevin Behrends (Jane Caraway), and Beverly (Doug) Weitnauer; and three beloved grandchildren, Trevor, Cameron (Lyse), and Jessica Weitnauer.