Joyce Maxine Behrens

Joyce Maxine (Brutlag) Behrens was born on June 18, 1935 in Wadena, MN, and died August 29, 2024 in Brooklyn Park, MN after a short illness. Her parents were Walter and Bertha (Kauppi) Brutlag of Ottertail. She was pre-deceased by her husband Helmer H. Behrens in 2019. She is survived by her 3 sons Timothy, Robert and Paul, 6 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and brother Keith Brutlag. 

Joyce grew up in Ottertail, MN and was valedictorian of her high school class. A teacher, she met her husband Helmer Behrens (b. April 28, 1932, d. February 20, 2019), an Army officer, in December 1953 in Appleton, MN and married on June 9, 1955. 

Joyce was a loving mother to her sons – nurturing, supportive and motivating – and encouraged academics, music and sports. Joyce stayed busy with golfing and playing bridge with friends, quilting and weaving, and working part-time. She was a skilled pianist. After Helmer retired from the military in 1976, Joyce lived in Appleton MN on the family farm, spent summers on West Leaf Lake in Ottertail, and eventually moved to Sun City Arizona. After Helmer’s death in 2019, Joyce moved into assisted living at the Brightondale Senior Living facility in New Brighton, MN. Joyce’s Christian faith was the guiding force in her life. 

Joyce was a beautiful woman, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend who led a love-filled, other-oriented, faithful life. She died peacefully on the morning of August 29 with family at her side. A funeral worship service is planned for September 4 at 9 AM at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Columbia Heights, MN, officiated by her brother and Pastor Keith Brutlag, followed by interment at 2 PM at the Appleton City Cemetery. Psalm 27:1-6