Lynn F. Behnke
Wednesday, July 19, 1944
Date of Death:
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Age:
79 years old
Memorial Service
Date: Monday December 04, 2023
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Christ United Methodist Church [ view map ]
Wednesday, July 19, 1944
Date of Death:
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Age:
79 years old
Wednesday, July 19, 1944
Date of Death:
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Age:
79 years old
Lynn F. Behnke
Lynn Frederic Behnke, 79, died peacefully in Rochester on Nov. 26, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. Lynn is survived by his daughters, Deborah (Don) Paquet of Troy, Mich., and Alison (Jed Anderson) Behnke of Minneapolis; three grandchildren, Alex, Peter, and Ellen; and his dear friend, Evon Mitchell of Janesville, Wisc. He is preceded in death by his wife, Carla Kaye (née Loomis) Behnke.
Born on July 19, 1944 in Alpena, Michigan, Lynn graduated from Alpena High School and went on to earn his B.A. and M.A. in English from Eastern Michigan University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a minor in mathematics. On September 19, 1964 he married Carla in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
In 1969 Lynn, Carla, and their daughter Debbie moved to Rochester, where Lynn joined IBM. In a career lasting more than thirty years, he worked as a technical writer, editor, and competitive analyst, making excellent use of his wordsmithing skills and his sharp, analytical intellect.
Lynn was an active member of the Rochester Civic Theater, where he explored his love of the arts and served as president of the board. Other creative passions over the years included literature, poetry (as both a writer and reader), jazz, opera, and ballroom dance. In 1983 Lynn, Carla, and second daughter Alison moved to Rome, Italy, where Lynn was on assignment for IBM. In Rome Lynn enthusiastically embraced world travel and, especially, Italian coffee culture.
Upon returning to Rochester, Lynn maintained his pursuit of the best cup of coffee while also traveling the world at every opportunity, for work and for pleasure. He also continued to feed his love of the arts as a member of the Guthrie Theater and as a student at the Loft Literary Center, and he enjoyed attending musical performances at the Artists’ Quarter, Dakota Jazz Club, Minnesota Opera, and Oak Center General Store.
Lynn was an active member of Rochester’s Christ United Methodist Church, serving on many committees and participating in book discussions and other groups. With Carla, he completed mission work to India and Kenya. After Carla’s death Lynn undertook mission-oriented travel to destinations including Cuba, Guatemala, Israel, and Palestine, where he not only offered assistance and generosity but also engaged in a spirit of open communication and learning.
Among Lynn’s other proud accomplishments were skiing in the Alps, running the Twin Cities Marathon, cold-weather camping in the BWCA, dancing the tango in Buenos Aires, and seeing his essays, poems, and articles published beyond the realm of IBM technical manuals.
On trips back to Michigan to visit friends and family, including his three grandchildren, he loved swimming in the Great Lakes, telling tales and playing cards with cousins at the family hunting camp, and seeking out the very best pieces of pie enroute.
And, all along the way, one of Lynn’s enduring pleasures was sitting with a cappuccino and a croissant, where you might equally expect to find him talking in the most thoughtful terms about classic literature, or laughing to tears over a dry (and perhaps even dark) joke.
A memorial service will be held on Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church in Rochester. Suggested donations include the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Guthrie Theater. Memorials can be sent in Lynn’s name to 3342 Bloomington Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55407.
Online condolences are welcome at mackenfuneralhome.com
Condolences
The family of Lynn F. Behnke has received the following condolences.
I just read of Lynn's passing with sadness and yet sweet joy knowing that he is in the arms of Christ and there with your mother. Lynn and I did not know each other well, but my late husband, Bill Siggelkow, was his friend and he was always someone Bill loved and grieved as the ravages of dementia took their toll. Bill passed away November 21 of 2022 and since then my life and health have resulted in my losing touch with all of you. I am so sorry that I missed his service. He was such a kind and dear man. It is my hope that even as you grieve his loss, it will lessen the pain a bit to know his strong faith. May the peace of Christ be yours during this time.
Deepest sympathy,
Connie Hosey
I am so sorry to hear of Lynn’s passing. My first husband, Joel Gillard (who passed away in 1997) and Lynn were roommates in Ann Arbor, MI before Lynn and Carla married. We were very good friends. It was so good to see them at high school reunions. I saw Lynn a few years ago when he was in Alpena - just by chance - and it was so good to talk with him. Feel my hug, girls. Your Dad was a very special guy. Donna Gillard Czarnecki in Alpena, MI
I am so sorry to hear of Lynn’s passing. My first husband, Joel Gillard (who passed away in 1997) and Lynn were roommates in Ann Arbor, MI before Lynn and Carla married. We were very good friends. It was so good to see them at high school reunions. I saw Lynn a few years ago when he was in Alpena - just by chance - and it was so good to talk with him. Feel my hug, girls. Your Dad was a very special guy. Donna Gillard Czarnecki in Alpena, MI
I can’t find the words to express how sorry I am for your loss. Your dad’s legacy of kindness and love will continue to inspire me. I remember his love for coffee and the Guthrie shows. And he sure knew how to have a great day at the State Fair. Please know that I’m here for you and Deb during this difficult time.
Love,
Amy
My sympathies to Deb and Alison and your families,
I met Lynn and Carla when my husband Bob was also on assignment with IBM in Italy. I remember the time Alison had a very high temperature and the medical staff there (or their landlady) insisted that the best treatment was more blankets! Crazy! I'm sure Italy is where Lynn picked up the cappuccino habit. We all did! When we returned from that assignment Bob accepted a job at IBM in Rochester, so our friendship continued. Lynn allowed us to camp out at his house once when we were caught up without a place to stay for a few nights when moving from one house to another. All was well until our builder gave Bob a Canada goose which Bob insisted on plucking in Lynn's garager and then cooking. Quite a mess and the worst dinner ever, but no complaints from Lynn! Later we spent many New Year's Eves together, reminiscing about our times in Italy and banging pots and pans at midnight! Lynn was always kind and generous with his time and talents.
My deepest condolences to Lynn's family. Lynn was my dance student for about 10 years. My favorite memory was performing a lovely rumba to s song about being friends. Not only did Lynn spend hours practicing the routine, he came up with a very detailed back story that was so sweet and funny. I'll always remember the end of the routine where we sat down on s bench together after our lovely walk in yhe park. I have missed him so much these last few years since I moved away.
I only knew Lynn for the last two years in The Marsh at The Waters. I read his obituary in absolute awe of his incredible life. I had no idea of his accomplishments, travel and professional career. I wish I had been able to get to know him more. I really enjoyed getting to know him only slightly and loved his men's table in the dining room. He will be missed.
Barb and I are very sorry about Lynn's passing. His death seemed so sudden as I had just visited recently. We enjoyed many visits in recent years, including outings for coffee and trips around Rochester and SE Minnesota when he was able. He was always a kind, thoughtful, and good-humored companion. Our friendship goes back to 1969 when we were both new IBM employees, so there were many talks about good old days and our lives and families. I will miss him dearly and cherish his memory.
Ken Oelfke
You have my deepest sympathies for the loss of your father and grandfather. I worked with Lynn for several years at IBM and will always remember him for his kindness, professionalism, and dry wit.
I worked with Lynn at IBM for many years and enjoyed his dry sense of humor. He was someone you could seek out his opinion on many issues and he was always nonjudgmental.
I will think of him often.
Fay Weamer
I can’t find the words to express how sorry I am for your loss. Your dad’s legacy of kindness and love will continue to inspire me. I remember his love for coffee and the Guthrie shows. And he sure knew how to have a great day at the State Fair. Please know that I’m here for you and Deb during this difficult time.
Love,
Amy
I worked with Lynn at IBM for many years and enjoyed his dry sense of humor. He was someone you could seek out his opinion on many issues and he was always nonjudgmental.
I will think of him often.
Fay Weamer
I joined IBM in 1970 as a technical writer. Lynn was one of the members of this wild and crazy bunch that worked in Publications. We were like snowflakes ... no two of us the same. But what fun we had, and in the midst of that fun we developed and published some darned good IBM books. Lynn was on one of our two publications bowling teams - it was called the Avocado Strike Kings. (Why that name, I have no idea.). I was on their softball team, called the Writer's Cramp. I don't remember our first meeting, but Lynn and I have been friends since 1970. As we marched through life, weathering life's highs and lows, we made a point to stay in touch. Many coffees at Dunn Brothers north. What I liked most about Lynn is that when we met, we talked about things of meaning and substance. Life, death, faith, family, relationships, good writing, .... weather and sports we seldom touched. He was such a kind, caring, encouraging, thoughtful, intellectually and emotionally deep person with a wonderful, off-beat sense of humor. His priorities were clear - family, faith, helping others... I will miss him so, but I will never forget what a wonderful friend he was.
Dearest Deb and Alison,
Your Dad will be missed so much by all of us. We loved him for marrying our sister, we loved him for gifting us two beautiful nieces, we loved him for his sense of humor and we love that he gave us 65 years of wonderful memories. You have our deepest sympathy.
Love,
Aunt Connie and Uncle Tim
On behalf of the Wallace Hunting Club we want to express our deepest condolences to you girls and your families. Your dad always liked to take a walk along the old road through the ridge of birches. It was always made a point to do that with a cousin. One October included his desire for photos in his dad’s blind. Lynn loved and wanted to preserve the history of the 4 generation camp, built by our grandpa and dads. We will cherish those memories, too. Big hugs to you girls. Wrap yourself in the warm memories. ?
Dearest Deb and Alison,
Your Dad will be missed so much by all of us. We loved him for marrying our sister, we loved him for gifting us two beautiful nieces, we loved him for his sense of humor and we love that he gave us 65 years of wonderful memories. You have our deepest sympathy.
Love,
Aunt Connie and Uncle Tim
I can’t find the words to express how sorry I am for your loss. Your dad’s legacy of kindness and love will continue to inspire me. I remember his love for coffee and the Guthrie shows. And he sure knew how to have a great day at the State Fair. Please know that I’m here for you and Deb during this difficult time.
Love,
Amy
Deepest regrets on Lynn's passing. I was fortunate to work with Lynn for several years at IBM. He was a most kind, thoughtful, and gentle soul. He was also a great listener and cared greatly for those he worked with. I'm grateful for having worked with Lynn and experienced his always positive approach to life and work.
Dear Behnke family,
I am sorry to hear of the loss of your father Lynn.
Lynn was one of my IBM clients for years when I was the on-site customer service coordinator for the IBM Rochester travel account
Not only was he interesting to visit with, he was one of my favorite IBM clients. He was very kind , soft spoken and personable.
It was always a pleasure assisting Lynn with his IBM travel concerns and hearing his stories..
With heartfelt sympathy, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sandy Melville