Mary Jane Behrns

MARY JANE BEHRNS, age 68 of Waldorf died on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester due to stroke complications following a battle with polycythemia vera.

Born on March 14, 1951 in Owatonna, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Jim and Judy (Brechbiel) Lennon.  She attended school in Owatonna graduating in 1969 from Marian High School.  The nuns threw a celebration the day she received her diploma.   She went on to attend Mankato State College before marrying Donald Behrns on September 25, 1971 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Owatonna.  Together they farmed and raised their family in Freedom Township, Waseca County.  Once her children were in school, Mary Jane began her career in food service.  She worked at the New Richland Care Center, Janesville Nursing Home, Trinity Lutheran School in Janesville, and Senior Nutrition in Waseca before retiring from Kwik Trip. 

Mary Jane loved to cook and feed people.  Her greatest fear was that someone might go hungry.  She was an amazing seamstress.  She grew up sewing her own clothes and wedding dress, later made clothes for her children, and sewed and made countless alterations to bridesmaid dresses.  Her love of sewing later grew into a love of quilting.    Mary Jane also enjoyed reading, playing cards, watching Blue Bloods and anything on HGTV.  She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Waldorf.

She is survived by her husband, Don of Waldorf; three children, Christopher (Melissa) Behrns of Fargo, ND, Sarah (Bruce) Miller of rural Waterville, and Lacey (Chris) Bartsch of Geneva; six grandchildren, Kali and Hunter Behrns, Kielana Iwen,  Haley VanWinkle, and Nolan and Faye Bartsch.   She is also survived by one brother, Pat (Barb) Lennon; niece, Pam (Mike) Kidder; nephew, Mike (Yvonne) Lennon all of Owatonna; sister-in-law, Darlene Bode of Mankato and many other relatives.  She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, John in infancy; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Eunice (Alfred) St. John, Beverly (Lester) Bohnhof and Ralph Bode.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 18, 2019 from 2-5 PM at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca and will continue Monday, one hour before services at the church.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 19, 2019 at 10:00 AM at First Lutheran Church in Waldorf.  Burial will follow at First Lutheran Cemetery.

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