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Mary Jane Behrends, 77, of Alden passed away Friday, March 27, 2020, at St. John’s Lutheran Community on Fountain Lake of Albert Lea.

Private prayers and burial have taken place, and a funeral service at Concordia Lutheran Church of Alden will be held once current restrictions are lifted. To leave online condolences, visit www.BonnerupFuneralService.com

Mary Jane was born Oct. 11, 1942, to Joseph and Josephine (Fure) Lockrem in Forest City. She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bricelyn, confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Guttenberg, Iowa, and graduated from Guttenberg High School. After graduation she attended Methodist Kahler School of Nursing.

On Nov. 14, 1964, Mary Jane married David Arthur Behrends at Salem Lutheran in Albert Lea, and together raised their two sons.

Mary Jane was a caring and dedicated nurse for Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea for 42 years.

She enjoyed her gardening, canning, flowers, knitting and quilting for herself and used those skills for the church and decorating the interior of the house for the different holidays. She enjoyed traveling to see many places in and outside the U.S., including France, Germany, Norway and Panama.

She will be remembered for her faith, children and grandchildren, and working for the church as treasurer and secretary.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, David; sons Joseph “Joe” Behrends of Wichita, Kansas, and Philip Behrends of West Des Moines; and grandchildren Josephine, Mark, Carolyn, Rosemary and Elaina.

Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents and siblings.