A visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Wednesday, February 21, at the Runge Mortuary. A celebration of life will be held at 10 AM on Thursday, February 22, at Zion Lutheran Church. He will be laid to rest in Oakdale Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church or QC Morning Optimist Club. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rungemortuary.com.
Rod was born near Rock Rapids, IA on January 29, 1935, the son of Heit and Sophia (Buus) Behr. He attended rural school and graduated from Rock Rapids High School. Rod attended University of Dubuque and later received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa, and remained an avid Hawkeye fan the rest of his life.
While serving with the U.S. Army in Augsburg, Germany, he married Helen Loreen Johnston of Onawa, IA, in 1960. They had one child, Linda, before Helen passed away in March of 1962. He later married Mary Kay Bielenberg of Charlotte, IA. They had two more children, Nolan and Mitch.
Rod enjoyed the musical and sports activities of his children as well as jazz music, playing cribbage, bridge, and golfing. He was active in his community, holding officer positions and receiving many awards with both the Jaycees and Optimists. Rod was also an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, having served as Treasurer for nearly twenty years.
Rod was employed by various companies in several cities. The last seventeen years was with Swiss Valley Farms, retiring as CFO in 2001.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen; wife, Mary; his parents; and two brothers, Merlyn and Vernon.
Those left behind to honor his memory are his children, Linda Flynn, Nolan (Jeannie), and Mitch; grandchildren, Shannon, Jerome Jr., Garrett, Colton, Braden, Noelle, and Josh; great grandchild, Rory; and sister-in-law, Joyce Eberhart.
