Lawrence Behmlander

Lawrence August Behmlander, 88, of Logan, Iowa formerly of Michigan died on Monday, July 11, 2011, at his daughter’s home near Logan, Iowa. Lawrence was born on May 2, 1923, in Dearborn, Michigan to Ernest and Louise (Miller) Behmlander. He graduated from Dearborn high School in 1941. Lawrence joined the US Merchant Marines in 1942. In 1943, Lawrence married Florence Murphy. He then entered the US Maritime Service Officers School in New London, Connecticut. Lawrence graduated from Officers School in 1945. While in the Merchant Marines he was awarded the Atlantic War Zone bar, Merchant Marine Combat Bar, Merchant Marine Meritorious Service Medal, Mediterranean Middle East War Zone Bar and the Merchant Marine Victory Medal. Lawrence was honorably discharged in 1947. Lawrence then served 15 years on the Dearborn Fire Department as a fire fighter. Lawrence sailed the Great Lakes as an officer on the Ford Motor Company iron ore ships, serving on the ship The Henry Ford II. After many years on the Great Lakes, he returned to merchant sailing on ocean vessels. As the officer on duty, he manned the lifeboat rescue of a Greek crew from their sinking ship in the Atlantic Ocean. On August 26, 1966, the United States Department of Commerce Maritime Administration presented the Gallant Ship award to the S.S. “Cotton State” for the heroic action of her seamen in rescuing the crew of the Greek Ship “Grammatiki” on February 7, 1965. In 1969, Lawrence married Bernadette Symons. Before his retirement he worked for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co in Jackson, Michigan as a stationary engineer. Lawrence moved from Jackson, Michigan to Logan to be near his daughter in 2007.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents and a son, David Lawrence Behmlander. He is survived by his daughter, Vicki and her husband Rev. Jerald Firby of Logan, Iowa; two granddaughters, Andrea and her husband Aaron Clark of Quincy, Illinois and Amy and her husband Shannon Lewis of Bellevue, Nebraska; six great grandchildren, Harrison and Hayden Clark, Miriam, Trinity, Christian and Naomi Lewis of Bellevue, Nebraska; one brother, Harold Behmlander and his wife Doris of Sarasota, Florida; his beloved dogs, Susie and Holly; and other relatives and friends.

Lawrence’s wishes were to be cremated and have his ashes buried on the family cemetery plot in Michigan. There will be a family service in Michigan at a later date.