Cover photo for Donald "Grizz" Behrendt's Obituary
Donald "Grizz" Behrendt Profile Photo
1933 Donald 2020

Donald "Grizz" Behrendt

May 14, 1933 — March 10, 2020

Dunlap

ATTENTION: WE WILL BE DOING A FACEBOOK LIVE FEED ON THE FOUTS FUNERAL HOME FACEBOOK PAGE OF GRIZZ'S FUNERAL SERVICES.

Donald Joseph “Grizz” Behrendt was born on May 14, 1933, to Joseph and Mary (Windeshausen) Behrendt south of Dunlap, Iowa. Grizz attended St. Joseph Catholic School from kindergarten thru 12th grade, graduating in 1951. In February of 1952, Grizz enlisted in the US Navy and left the state of Iowa for the first time. He served on the USS Burton Island, a wind-class icebreaker. He spent 18 months dry docked in the Philippines. Grizz made lasting friendships on that ship that continue to this day. On October, 30, 1954, Grizz married, the love of his life, Virginia “Ginny” Dai at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dunlap.  After Grizz’s honorable discharge in 1956, he worked at the Continental Can Company in Omaha for two years, while also going to school at night for mechanics. Grizz and Ken Smiley operated a Philips 66 station from 1957 to 1958. He then started farming near Dunlap. While farming, he worked in Woodbine at Brown’s Manufacturing for 18 years, then as transportation director for the Dunlap Community schools for 18 years and most recently at Crop Production Services (Nutrein) and Sullivan Supply in the “Sweatshop”.

Grizz was a lifelong member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, He was a  member of the Knights of Columbus and the Dunlap American Legion Post 224 for over 50 years. Grizz and Virginia liked to travel, especially on his Gold Wing with Ginny on the back. They traveled to Alaska and Ireland. They also attended many Navy reunions. Grizz drove the TeamCheckers bus for RAGBRAI for 11 years and was even featured in the Bicycling magazine in 2004 and the DesMoines Register in 2003.

Grizz died on March 10, 2020, at his home in Dunlap, at the age of 86 years, nine months and 22 days.

Grizz was preceded by his parents; son, Eddie Behrendt, two sisters, Theresa Schomers and Susan Brungardt; and brother, Jake Behrendt.  He is survived by his wife, Virginia Behrendt of Dunlap, Iowa; ten children, Donna and Mark Brasel of Dunlap , Dennis and Ann Behrendt of Dunlap, Freddie and Ann Behrendt of Dunlap, Margaret and Chuck Sandquist of Woodbine, Nick and Darcy Behrendt of Dunlap, Lydia and Tom Peterson of Battle Creek, Iowa, Raymond and Michelle Behrendt of Seattle, Washington, John “Wofat” and Kami Behrendt of Dunlap, Therese and Rick Slechta of Schleswig, Iowa, and Donnie and Jodi Behrendt of Woodbine; 29 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

MEMORIALS MAY BE MADE TO: AMERICAN LEGION POST 224

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

4:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

St. Patrick's Parish Center

, Dunlap, IA 51529

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Mass of Christian Burial

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)

St. Patrick Catholic Church

509 S 3rd St, Dunlap, IA 51529

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