Rolland Wilson Behnken

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 18, 2025, at John Knox Presbyterian Kirk, 11430 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64114. Visitation will begin at 9:00am, with Funeral Services following at 10:00am. There will be a Private Family Committal at Mount Moriah Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make donations to John Knox Presbyterian Kirk.

Rolland was born in Baldwin, Illinois and raised in Marissa, Illinois. His life was devoted to his work, his faith, and his family. He was an adored father of three, papa of nine, and big papa of six. He was extremely generous with his family, and his church. Supportive in every way with his time and attention. He worked hard to provide for those he loved.

Rolland learned that hard work paid dividends. He grew up on a farm in southern Illinois and worked long hours with his father, mother and brother from sunup to sundown. One summer digging out the whole basement with his mother as a "family project". Upon graduating High School, he attended the Missouri School of Mines in Rolla, Missouri. Upon graduation he served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers, from 1958-1960. After leaving the military he started his career at Southwestern Bell, and worked in various executive rolls for over 30 years. When most people would enjoy a retirement, he decided to start a lawn business and ended up mowing and serving over 60 customers a week. Truly retiring at the age of 85. Needless to say he enjoyed staying busy!!!

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marilyn Becker of 47 years; his second wife, Joyce Williams of 20 years; and his grandson, Jack Behnken.

He is survived by his sons, John Behnken and Glenn Behnken; his daughter, Kathryn (Ron) Graham , his granddaughters, Jordan, Sydney, Christina, Glynn, Paige, Makaela, and Taylor; his grandsons, Aaron and Kyle; and his great-grandchildren, Calvin, Margot, Jeffers "JR", Sebastian, Lane, and Dean. He will be dearly missed.