Esther E Behrens

Esther Behrens, 88, was born in Oak Harbor, Ohio, on January 31, 1920. She was born to Henry and Ina (Carstens) Meyer. She married William J. Behrens on June 15, 1940 at St. John Lutheran Church, Oak Harbor. She was a 1937 graduate of Oak Harbor High School and completed a Secretarial Course at Davis Business College. Until her marriage she worked at Decorators Supply in Toledo. She and her husband Bill owned and operated Behrens Confectionery in Fremont until 1973. Esther was secretary at Lutz and Hayes Elementary Schools, as well as secretary to the Purchasing Director of the Fremont City Schools. She retired as the financial secretary at Ross High School in 1985. Esther had been active in the PTA and the Mothers Study Club at Atkinson Elementary School, and she had served as a Blue Bird, Camp Fire, and a 4-H Club advisor. She proudly worked several years as a Presiding Judge for the Sandusky County Board of Elections. At St. Johns Lutheran Church, she was a Sunday School teacher and Superintendent, as well as a Bible School Director/teacher. She was a member of the Women of the Church and its Abigail Circle, the Daughters of St. Johns and the Altar Guild. She served on the Church Council, was an Elder, and served as its first woman President. She was a founding member of the church handbell choir, in which she played for 18 years. Esther was a member of the Crafty Ladies and the Crochet Club. She enjoyed her church activities, volunteering in the library at Lutz Elementary School and making crafts. Her greatest joy was her two grandsons and two granddaughters. Survivors include Bette (Gary) Kaltenbach, William (Cindy Evans) Behrens, both of Fremont; her four grandchildren, Sara Kaltenbach of Hilliard, OH, Andrew Behrens of N. Canton, OH, Airman Brian Kaltenbach of Norfolk, VA and Christina Behrens of Columbus, OH; sisters, Evelyn Brunkhorst of Oak Harbor, OH, Eldonna Palmer of St. Ann, MO, and several nieces and nephews. Preceding her were her husband, parents and a sister, Thelma Seawater. Visitation will be 2-4 & 6-9 p.m. July 15, 2008 at the Herman-Kinn-Karlovetz Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Fremont. Services will be on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Johns Lutheran Church with Pastor Jon Bull officiating. Additional visitation will be held at the church one hour before the service. Memorials may be made to the St. Johns Lutheran Bell Choir, St. Johns Lutheran Memorial Fund, or WSOS Senior Nutrition Program.