ELEANOR F. BEHNKE

Eleanor F. (Owens) Behnke of Sparta, formerly of Baraboo, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013 at the Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center in Sparta, at the age of 89.Eleanor, the daughter of the late Alfred and Laura (Wilson) Owens, was born on June 17, 1923 in Baraboo. On Oct. 4, 1947, she was united in marriage to Robert Behnke. He preceded her in death in 1969. Before being employed by the Baraboo National Bank for 22 years, Eleanor loved being a homemaker and caring for their three children. She had been active in the community, having been a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and it's Ladies Aid. She also belonged to the Bowling League at the Baraboo Elks Club, the Baraboo Country Club, her Bridge Club and Ladies Golf League. She also enjoyed volunteering at Circus World Museum, knitting, sewing, and doing crafts. Eleanor was a great cook and liked collecting recipes to try out on her family.She is survived by her children, Richard (Dawn) Behnke of Little Rock, AR, Sherrie (David) Hein of Tomah, and Debra Hoffman of Madison; her grandchildren, Lea Cooper of Henderson, NV, Lindi Behnke of Las Vegas, NV, Elizabeth (Brian Shelton) Hein of Arlington, VA, Tyler Hein of Savage, MN, Laura Hein of Tomah, Brett (Jenna) Hoffman of Grimes, IA, and Aimee Hoffman of Madison; two great-grandchildren, Ethan and Marissa Cooper and another great-grandson expected in May; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.In addition to her parents and her husband, Robert, Eleanor was preceded in death by five siblings, Alfred, Donald and Samuel Owens, her sister, Alice Francois, and an infant brother.Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on on Sunday, March 3, 2012 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Baraboo with Pastor Carl Schroeder officiating. Burial will follow in the Walnut Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday, from 1 p.m. until the time of services, at the church. The Redlin Funeral Home is assisting the family.The family would like to thank the staff at Rollings Hills Rehab Center for their care and compassion, and Pastor Mark Wessel for his spiritual support for Eleanor.