Harold Jacob 'Jack' Behrens, 80

Harold Jacob "Jack" Behrens, 80, died Jan. 6, 2007, following a brief battle with leukemia. He was born to George and Jennie (Krauss) Behrens on Oct. 3, 1926, in Ottertail, Minn. Jack was the youngest of six children.

He was married to Joy Williams and they had two children, Dan and Diane. He was later married to Lena Skyba, who preceded him in death.

Jack and Rosa Lee Cramer-Wood were married for 19 years at the time of his death.

Jack moved to the Flathead at an early age. He attended school at Demersville and Flathead High School.

He served in the U.S. Air Force. Many will remember Jack working at Gambles in Kalispell for 31 years until the store closed. He then worked as custodian at Cornelius Hedges Elementary and Linderman schools for 12 years.

Jack enjoyed fishing, boating, camping and traveling any chance he got. Visiting with friends and enjoying the Western music at Sykes' was one of his favorite pastimes in his later years. Gene Autry movies were also a big favorite.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Clarence, George and Henry Behrens; and sisters, Elizabeth (Behrens) Fleming and Jen (Behrens) Hanson.

Survivors include wife, Rosa Lee Behrens, of Kalispell; son, Daniel "Dan" Behrens, and wife, Evon, of Kalispell; daughter, Diane (Behrens) Beck, and husband, Bob, of Missoula; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He also leaves behind his very special dog, Cody.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. today, Jan. 9, at Buffalo Hill Mortuary.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, at Buffalo Hill Mortuary and Crematory, with burial afterward at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.