Arlene "Arly" Behnke

Arlene “Arly” Behnke, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Hiawatha Care Center. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Faith Lutheran Church in Marion, where a visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. until the service time. Burial will follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Marion is assisting the family.

Arly Behnke was born on January 14, 1930, on a farm in southern South Dakota. She was the daughter of Gerhard and Sylvia (Sveum) Tonsager. Having no male siblings and being the eldest of five sisters, Arly spent much of her youth helping her father with the operation of the family farm. Arly was proud of her days as her dad’s helping hand and credited them with learning the benefits of hard work and a job well done.

In 1946, Arly was introduced by mail to a young US Army private, Walter Behnke, who was the best friend of the brother of one of her school mates. Walt and Arly entered into a mostly correspondence-based relationship which, coupled with two brief “in person” meetings, resulted in their marriage on June 12, 1948.

Arly loved spending time with her family and friends. She was a very outgoing person who could, and did, make friends very easily, often resulting in life-long relationships that she treasured very much. She and Walt enjoyed traveling and had the opportunity to visit the land of her ancestry, Norway, twice. They also traveled to Germany and went on several cruises that she enjoyed a great deal.

Arly is survived by her son, Gary (Vickie) Behnke of Anamosa; her daughter, Marcia (Larry) Achenbach of Marion; three grandchildren, Troy Achenbach, Tiffani Evenson-Achenbach, and Melissa Schmitt; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband of 68 years, Walt; and four sisters, Beulah, Shirley, Dorothy, and Gladys.

The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to all the staff at Mercy Hospital, as well as Pastor John Albertson for their care, kindness, and support.