Jane L. Behnke, age 100 of the Town of Maple Creek, passed away early Friday morning, October 24, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Residence in New London.
Jane Louise Behnke was born on January 30, 1925 in the Township of Dupont, daughter to the late Anton and Hulda (Denke) Malueg. She started school at the young age of four years old, at the same time as her older brother. She went to the one room school in Marion, where she graduated at just 15 years old. Jane was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Dupont, and was a devoted believer her whole life. After high school she worked at the Hansen Glove Factory, Clintonville for a time before moving to Milwaukee, where she found work cleaning houses with her aunt. She then moved back to Clintonville, and met Rueben Behnke. The couple was united in marriage on September 8, 1946. In 1947, they purchased the farm where Rueben was working, moved in, and lived there for the rest of their lives. Jane enjoyed being a farm wife while they had dairy cows, until they sold them in 1992. In addition to being a farm wife and homemaker, Jane also worked very hard outside the home. She was a waitress at multiple different establishments, a cook at the country club in New London, and did catering for local folks. After she retired, she spent ten years as a snowbird, going to Florida every year during the winter months. Jane liked cooking for her family and making canned goods. She was very involved in her church and the sewing circle at church. She liked to reupholster armchairs and other furniture, and also loved to garden. She was a very faithful person and considered her faith in Christ to be very important. Jane also loved her family especially her grandchildren and her beloved cats.
Jane is survived by her children: Gerald “Jerry” Behnke, David (Patty Maass) Behnke, and Bonnie (Rich) Peters
Daughter-In-Law: Karen Behnke
Grandchildren: Rebecca (Dan) Elsinger, Kevin (Jennifer) Behnke, Melissa (Scott) Eilbes, Brent Behnke, Thomas (Amy) Behnke, Tyler Behnke, Justin Behnke, Jaceena (Zack) Weaver, & Jared (Irma Cappelletti) Henschel
Great-grandchildren: Erika, Holly, Natalie, Oliver, Wyatt, Sutton, Lieghton, Oton, Brinley, Myla, Lilly May, Jaxon, Liam, & Myles
Sister-In-Law: Louine Malueg
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rueben; sons, Kurtis Lee Behnke and Willis Behnke; a daughter-in-law, Ann Behnke; a great-grandson, Parker Elsinger; and all of her siblings.
Funeral services for Jane will be held 11 AM on Saturday November 8, 2025 at Grace Lutheran Church, Sugarbush, with Pastor Caleb Rothfuss officiating. Interment will take place at Graceland Cemetery, Clintonville at 2 PM.
Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9 AM until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jane’s name are preferred to be directed to Grace Lutheran Church, Sugarbush.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to devoted caregivers at Theda Care Neenah/Appleton, Oakridge Gardens, St. Joseph’s Residence and hospice team, whose compassion and companionship in the last chapter of her life brought comfort to those who loved her.
The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville is assisting the Behnke family with arrangements.
An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.
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