Iela M. Behrens

Iela M. Behrens, age 85, of Iron Ridge passed away on Friday, February 15, 2019 at Clearview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Juneau.A memorial service will take place on Saturday, February 23rd at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Horicon with the Rev. Jonathan Szczsney officiating. A visitation will take place on Saturday, February 23 from 9:30 – 11 a.m. at the church.Iela was born the daughter of Jacob and Marie (Steffen) Bunkoske on January 26, 1934 in Horicon. She was a graduate of Horicon High School. Iela worked at Purity Cheese as a lab technician before enjoying many years at home raising her son. She returned to the workforce with Pinkerton Security, and later with TREK bicycles and Silver Spring Campground in Rio…. Where she also embraced her passion for camping for nearly 40 years. For the last 17 years Iela worked as a customer service specialist with Walmart in Watertown. She was also a member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Horicon where she served her church in multiple facets including Sunday school teacher, youth program leader, grounds and building maintenance, and a member of their choirs. Iela was awarded “Woman of the Year” for her service to her community.She is survived by her son- Lynn (Brenda) Behrens of Mayville. Her granddaughter- Alysia (special friend Jake Raduenz) Gaugert of Watertown. Her former husband- Robert Behrens of The Villages, FL. Her brother- Wayne Bunkoske of Beaver Dam. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Vivian Schmidt, Marion Schellpfeffer, Marlene Zirbel, and Patricia Lockwood. Her niece Dale Zirbel. Her brothers- Elmer, Harry, Alvin, and Jacob Bunkoske, Jr. Special thanks to the staff at Clearview for their care and support shown to Iela and her family during her time there.