Shirley J. Beheng

Published June 26, 2020 at 12:14 PM

Shirley J. Beheng, age 83, of Miltona, died on Thursday, June 25, 2020, at Bethany on the Lake in Alexandria.

Services were held on June 29, 2020.

Shirley Jeanette was born on March 20, 1937, to Edwin and Minnie (Dehnel) Peterson in Eagle Bend. She graduated valedictorian of the Eagle Bend High School class of 1955. Following her education, Shirley moved to work in Minneapolis. She met her future husband, Merlin Beheng at a dance at the Clarissa Ballroom. They were united in marriage on June 18, 1960, at Faith Lutheran Church in Miltona. Following their marriage, they lived at Lake Miltona for three years. In 1963, they purchased the family farm in Spruce Hill Township and farmed until 1991, at which time they built a home near Lake Miltona. In addition to raising her family, Shirley worked at the Miltona School. Her fulltime career was working at the bank in Miltona as a bookkeeper and teller. She retired in 2010, and started her life’s passion of babysitting her great-grandchildren, obtaining the titles of “GG” and “Ha-ha.” Shirley moved into Miltona in 2012, was a member of Faith Lutheran Church and its Ladies Aide. She enjoyed gardening, canning, crossword puzzles, baking, reading, and watching television game shows, especially Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. She loved spending time with her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 50 years, Merlin; siblings and spouses, Eldora (Herb) Johnson, Bud (Ina) Peterson, Alice (Lloyd) Lenz, Louie (Diane) Peterson, Lauren Harris, Norma Peterson, and Donald Sundich.

Shirley is survived by her son, Steven J. (Terri Gaarsland) Beheng of Miltona; two daughters, Joni M. (Rodney) Wunderlich and Julie A. (Bill) Koetter both of Miltona; three grandchildren, Bill Wunderlich, Jen Melby and Jill Schlemmer; six great-grandchildren, McKinnely, Jaxson, Presley and Maverick Bosl, Lillian and Stella Coker; brother, Dennis Peterson of Wadena; three sisters, Ardy Harris of Minneapolis, Vera (Jerry) Ohman of Wadena and Carol (Mark) Peterson of Eveleth; brother-in-law, Darrel Beheng of Miltona; along with many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Bill Wunderlich, Troy Rediehs, Trevor Rediehs, Chad Beheng, Todd Mrnak, and Dane Bosl. Honorary pallbearers are Jen Melby and Jill Schlemmer.

Arrangements provided by Lind Family Funeral & Cremation Services, lindfamilyfh.com.