Margaret E. Behrends

Margaret Emma Rohlfing was born on March 27, 1921 in Cleveland, MN to Adolph and Albertine (Strauman) Rohlfing. In 1938 she was Valedictorian of her Cleveland High School class. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1942 with a degree in Home Economics. Margaret was united in marriage in 1943, to Richard Benhard Behrends of Hastings, MN in Melbourne, FL. where he was training to be a Navy pilot. After World War II, they made their first home in St. Paul. Margaret taught in St. Paul schools and Richard completed college and worked as a Dairy Bacteriologist for the State of Minnesota. In 1951 they purchased a farm in the lower St Croix valley. Margaret was a homemaker and helped with the farm and egg route. In later years she taught home-economics and substituted in area public schools. Margaret was a 4-H leader of the Riverside Routers Club, a member of the Mothers Club and the American Association of University Women. She enjoyed her family, especially grandchildren and great grandchildren, reading novels, traveling and water aerobics at the YMCA. Left to remember Margaret are her children: Bruce (Sue), Mark (Sue), Tim (Janel), Barb (Jim) Godfrey, Jean (Rolf) Annexstad. Margaret delighted in her grandchildren: Alec (Abigail), Nathaniel (Kirsten), Peter (Kelsey), Jana (Steve Scholl), Tyler (Megan), Anna, Sam (Jenna), Wyatt, Emily, Matthias and Leif; and her great-grandchildren: Calen, Selma, Kacey, Samuel, Otto, Liza, Emerson, Benjamin and Wynn. Margaret is survived by her sister in law, Zita Rohlfing, nephews, nieces, many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, and her siblings Mabel, Helen and Robert Rohlfing. Margaret passed away peacefully on January 10, 2019 at the Regina Long Term Care Center in Hastings, at the age of 97. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings. A luncheon will take place in Mother Seton Hall immediately following the service with interment following at Lakeside Cemetery in Hastings. Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday morning at church. Margaret's family wishes to extend their many thanks to the caring staff at Regina Long Term Care. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Hastings YMCA or St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.