Floyd Frank Behrens, 92, of Seymour, Indiana, passed away at his residence on June 15, 2023.
He was born Sept. 30, 1930, in Lincoln, Kansas, and was the son of Otto G. Behrens and Ida E. (Schwerdtfeger) Behrens. On Oct. 5, 1930, and March 25, 1945, he was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church, Lincoln. He graduated from St. John Lutheran School, Lincoln, (1945), Concordia High School (1949) and Concordia Teachers College (BS in Ed. 1954), in Seward. A Masters Degree in Elementary Administration and Doctorate in Elementary Education (Reading Emphasis) were conferred at Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina (1960) and the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley (1966). He pursued Post-Doctoral education at the University of Northern Colorado (1974).
On March 30, 1974, Dr. Behrens married Janet E. Wessel, Seymour, at Peace Lutheran Church, Arvada, Colorado. Their son, Joel, was born June 24, 1975. Joel and his wife, Heather, Los Angeles, California, work in Visual Effects for films and television. Floyd and Jan were privileged to be together in the teaching ministry at Concordia University, Nebraska, in Seward, and Grace Lutheran School, Winter Haven, Florida, for more than 30 years.
For 22 years, Floyd was an elementary school teacher and administrator in Lutheran schools in Nebraska, Hawaii and Florida. For 23 years, he was a professor in the Elementary Department at Concordia University in Seward, teaching undergraduate courses in religious education, reading, language arts, supervising student teachers and as Placement Director for graduating students. In addition to teaching both undergraduate and graduate students, he developed new undergrad curricula in reading and the language arts, a Masters degree in Reading for graduate students and a Reading/Study Skills lab for foreign students and freshmen needing assistance.
One of his favorite roles was assisting in freshmen advising as they began their college education. While completing his masters, doctoral and post-doctoral programs, he was awarded teaching fellowships in the Reading Clinics of the universities attended. In 1988 a Call was accepted to Grace Lutheran Church/School, Winter Haven, Florida, as the school’s administrator, retiring in 1998.
Floyd was involved in a variety of parish activities, district education committees and school accreditation teams while teaching in Lutheran schools. After retirement, he remained active in Grace Lutheran Church and School. Jan and he were on the program committee of Veterans’ of the Cross, an annual retreat sponsored by the Florida/Georgia District of the Lutheran Church for retired Lutheran Church workers. Jan and Floyd enjoyed 10 years of travel in the United States and a number of foreign countries following retirement. One of his most fulfilling post-retirement endeavors was assisting the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod’s mission to help strengthen Lutheran school ministries.
Dr. Behrens was preceded in death by his wife, Jan; his parents; sisters, Wilma Alpers and Elda Mayfield; a brother, Roy Behrens; brothers-in-law, The Rev. Arlin Alpers and Leo Mayfield Jr.; a sister-in-law, Mildred Behrens; three nephews; and one niece. He is survived by his son, Joel, and daughter-in-law, Heather, four nieces and two nephews.
The funeral service will be at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Seymour, on Tuesday, June 27, at 11 a.m. Live streaming will be available from Immanuel Lutheran Church. Interment will follow at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Seymour. Memorial contributions are suggested to Concordia University – Nebraska, Seward, Immanuel Lutheran Church or School, Seymour, or personal choice.
Arrangements by Voss & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services in Seymour.
