Patricia Jo Behnke

Patricia Behnke returned to her heavenly family on June 14, 2023. She passed peacefully at the home of her daughter, Laural, in Redmond, Oregon. Patricia (Pat, Patty, Patty Jo) was born in St. Anthony, Idaho on February 5, 1938, to Charles Purser and Beth Meyrick Purser. Her parents were in road construction and she spent the early years of her life traveling in the Pacific Northwest.

When she was approximately 6 years old living in Portland, Oregon, it was discovered that she had polio. This was the start of much of her young life in hospitals going through multiple operations and trying different theories. As a result, she spent considerable time in Shriners’ Childrens Hospital. Results of this disease were a smaller right arm that never developed and she had no ability to move or use it. She wore a brace for some time, later a sling, and gradually nothing but her own determination and strength. She did not take this as a handicap rather as a challenge. As things progressed Patty, her sister Judy, and her mom moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon. When she was 12 years old mother married Robert Anderson who was a strength and love for her and the family. He made the name, “Daddy Bobert” for himself and she continued to call him that all her life.

Patricia grew up in Klamath Falls, attended school there graduating from Klamath Union High School in 1956. After graduation she married the love of her life, Maurice Kay Behnke, in the Idaho Falls Temple. They lived in Klamath Falls and upon his graduation from college they moved to Sweet Home Oregon. Later, they spent time in Lebanon, Albany, Kaiser, and ultimately settled in Stayton, Oregon. During this time, they were blessed with 3 children: Alan Maurice, Tricia Jeannine, and Laural Kathleen. These children have been one of the joys of her life.

While in Stayton, Patricia returned to college, graduated and began working at Chemeketa Community College with people from all countries teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). She also wrote a study book for Oregon Drivers Licensing.

Pat was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. There she helped teach and worked with Young Women, Relief Society, Sunday School, and Primary in many callings. She loved Christ and did her best to emulate him in her life. There was not a day that Patricia did not say something nice about someone or help another. Her spirit will continue in all those who knew her.

Patricia leaves her children; Alan Behnke, Tricia Duchene, and Laural (Jeff) Robinson; sister and brother-in-law, Judy & Ken Coffman, She also has 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by: husband, Maurice Kay Behnke; Parents, Robert and Beth Anderson (and Chuck and Sig Purser); In Laws, Basil and Mable Behnke; Daughter-in-Law, Scarlett Behnke; Son-in-Law, Louis DuChene, and great grandson Ryan Trosky.