Louis  Behl

CLERGY
Rev. Tom Petersen
Rev. Russell Stewart
MUSIC
Pianist ~ Loretta Schoenfish
Special Music ~ Happy Memories Band
“Just a Closer Walk with Thee”
“Softly and Tenderly”
Soloist ~ Rev. Russell Stewart
“On Eagle’s Wings”
Congregational Hymns
“How Great Thou Art”
“Amazing Grace”
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
David Behl
Brady Geuther
Tim Woehl
Joseph Fischer
CASKETBEARERS
Paul Weidenbach
Lyle Weidenbach
John Weidenbach
Frank Behl
Cody Geuther
Delray Geuther
Louis Behl was born on Thursday, August 3, 1933 on the family farm near Scotland, South Dakota to D. Vern and Dorothy (Mitchell) Behl. He attended Cass Country School and later graduated from Scotland High School. Following his graduation, Louis studied at South Dakota State University (SDSU) for four years and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. On September 4, 1955, Louis was united in marriage to V. Joyce Williamson in Artesian, South Dakota at the United Methodist Church and three children were born from this union. Louis then served in Korea for a year and a half before being granted early release to return home and farm west of Scotland in the spring of 1958. In the spring of 1966, the family moved to a farm southeast of Scotland. He was also a loan officer in Gregory, South Dakota from 1974 until 1976.  In January 1976, Louis and family moved to the Roseau area of Minnesota where he farmed and started his trucking career in 1978. In July 1980, the family moved back to South Dakota continuing his trucking career and then resumed farming in 1985 in Parkston until the present.
Agriculture was a large passion and talent of Louis’. Not only did he farm for most years of his life, he also served as an Ag Instructor for veterans in Tabor while he lived near Scotland. During his years at SDSU, he judged dairy cattle and showed Holstein bulls. He loved and showed Palomino horses, an interest nurtured by his parents throughout his youth. Louis was a dedicated veteran who was a member of the VFW post in Parkston for many years, and served as the Commander from 2012 to 2013.  He attended as many national reunions of his unit from Korea as possible. He loved his family and looked forward to the Mitchell family reunions held in Hartford, South Dakota which his great-great-grandfather Alexander Mitchell started.
Louis died on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 while farming in Parkston at the age of 80 years, 3 months, and 11 days.
He is survived by his partner of several years, Delaine Geuther of Dimock; two sons: Lynn (Terri) Behl of Parkston and Lee Behl of Blackhawk; one daughter, Joy (Wayne) Pierson of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; one grand-daughter, Brianna Pierson; eight step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; one sister, Lorene (Eugene) Weidenbach of Scotland; one brother, Lawrence (Joyce) Behl of Aurora, Colorado; and one sister-in-law, Idella Behl of Scotland; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, D. Vern and Dorothy Behl, and one brother, Donald Vern Behl.
The Behl family greatly appreciates family and friends’ kindness and thoughts, but request that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Wounded Warrior Project Fund (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) or the Parkston VFW Post #3298.