Helen Behnke
Helen Behnke
Helen Behnke, age 98, of Baraboo, passed away on April 28, 2016 at St. Clare Meadows.Helen was born on June 5, 1918 to Russell Angell and Eunice Jambois Angell in Genoa, WI. The family later moved to Baraboo where Helen graduated from Baraboo High School and where she continued to live for the rest of her life. She married Donald Behnke on January 1, 1936 and they have been happily married for 80 years. She worked during WWII at the Baraboo Army Ammunition Plant. Helen and Don lived in the same home on 11th St in Baraboo up until five years ago when they were no longer able to care for themselves. They then went to Oak Park Place and lived together in assisted living until they had to split a few years ago as Helen became too ill to remain there. Since that time, she has been residing at Jefferson Meadows and her husband at Oak Park Place. Her husband visited her every chance that he got and they could often be found napping together as they held hands. Helen's passion in life was golf and she enjoyed playing whenever she got a chance. She was a long time member of the Baraboo Country Club until she was physically no longer able to swing a club. She and Don also enjoyed traveling and bird watching. She enjoyed visiting with friends and family, telling old family stories, until she became too disoriented to do so. She had a heart of gold and a wonderful sense of humor. She is now swinging her golf clubs in Heaven. Helen is survived by her husband Donald (age 102), Baraboo; nieces Jill (Fred) Quandt, Baraboo; Patricia Harry, CO; nephew David (Barbara) Angell, Oshkosh a great-nephew Jeremiah (Melissa) Angell, Portage as well as several great-nieces and their children. Helen was preceded in death by her parents and brother Milton Angell as well as several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and nephews and nieces. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 1 p.m. at Pine Hill Cemetery in Rock Springs. The Redlin Funeral Home is assisting the family.