Arthur Fritzhof Behring

May 19, 1928 - May 25, 2012

Visitation: Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Heritage Funeral Home, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The family will be present from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. There will be a Masonic Funeral Rites Ceremony at 7:00 PM.

Service: A celebration of life ceremony for Art will be held on Thursday, May 31st, at 2:00 PM at Canton Lutheran Church in Canton, South Dakota. Interment will be at Forest Hills immediately following the service. A luncheon will be served at the church following burial.

Arthur Fritzhof Behring, 84, passed away on May 25, 2012, at Covington Heights in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Heritage Funeral Home, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  The family will be present from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.  There will be a Masonic Funeral Rites Ceremony at 7:00 PM.        

A celebration of life ceremony for Art will be held on Thursday, May 31st, at 2:00 PM at Canton Lutheran Church in Canton, South Dakota.  Interment will be at Forest Hills immediately following the service.  A luncheon will be served at the church following burial.    

Arthur Fritzhof Behring was born on May 19, 1928, in Canton, South Dakota, to Fritz and Dora Behring.  He attended school in Canton, South Dakota.  Before graduating from high school, Art served a year in the Merchant Marines.  He returned home to finish his education, graduating in 1947.  From 1948 to 1952, he served for four years in the army in Germany.  After returning from his army service, he attended the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in Rapid City, South Dakota.  He was recruited from college by John Morrell & Company to work as an Industrial Engineer.  He married Harriet Lavonne Wold on July 12, 1957, at Renner Lutheran Church in Renner, South Dakota.  He worked at Morrell’s for 35 years until he retired in 1990.  

He was a member of the Silver Star Lodge #4 in Canton, South Dakota.  He was a member of the El Riad Shrine Director’s Staff unit where he served as President for one year.  He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and was also a Mason at the Masonic Lodge in Sioux Falls.

Throughout his life he enjoyed working on cars, building computers, internet research on medical issues, photography, hunting and genealogy.

He was preceded in death by his parents Fritz and Dora Behring and his sister Anna Kroger and an infant baby brother.  He is survived by wife Harriet Behring, daughter Julie (Behring) Wilson, Des Moines, Iowa, daughter Joyce (Behring) Beard and husband Doug, Abilene, Texas, son Fritz Behring, Phoenix, Arizona and daughter Deborah (Behring) Reese and significant other Jeff Johnson, Pierre, South Dakota, seven grandchildren, Nicole Wilson  and fiancé Henry Chavez and Chantelle Wilson and fiancé Matthew Broome of Des Moines, Iowa, Brittany Beard, Brandon Beard, Bethany Beard, Brianna Beard and Nathan Beard all of Abilene, Texas, and two great grand children Micah Wilson and Kiana Chavez of Des Moines, Iowa. He is also survived by his brother Daniel Behring (Bonnie), Mesa, Arizona, his sister Deloris Nelson, Canton, South Dakota, and his sister Frances Winter (Tom), Canton, South Dakota, cousin Delores Anna Counts, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family.

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  1. Julie Wilson on May 26, 2012 said:

    I love my dad so much and I will miss him so much!!! He was a very strong and courageous man!!!

  2. Cheryl Juracek on May 27, 2012 said:

    Harriet, Julie, Joyce, Fritz and Debbie — I’m so sorry to hear of Art’s passing. I was reading the Argus this morning and read that he had passed. I didn’t realize that he was still battling cancer. He gave it a tough fight! In thinking back about your Dad, I first met him 32 years ago when Joyce and I met in college. He never seemed to age to me! He always seemed like such a kind, gentle man and I’m sure he’ll be missed terribly by family and friends. Sympathies to your family — Cheryl Juracek

  3. Fran Winter on May 28, 2012 said:

    It is hard to see your siblings leave here. It is a good that he doesn’t have to suffer anymore with the cancer but hard to see him gone. I have a ton of memories though. The first boughten dress I had he sent me form Germany, the rides on the blue Indian motor cycle, bringing Cap home to live with us, and much more. When I was little there were allot of Art and Dans friends at the house most of the time. We had a large barn and they got to work on cars there and Mom would feed them all. I remember how hard it was when my Father passed away. It kindof knocks the floor out right under you. A big part of you is missing and you just want your family to stay in tact. Julie, Joyce, Fritz and Debbie You have my sympathy because now you have to go through this. You will miss being able to talk to him, see him and knowing that he’s there. Harriet I understand how hard this is going to be for you. The man you shared your life with and talked to everyday isn’t there now. You won’t have him there ask him if he saw some item in the paper or heard on the news about something or talk about the other things that concern you. You have lost the comfort of knowing that he is in the other room not far away. You all have my sympathy and prayers.

  4. Teresa Feucht on May 28, 2012 said:

    Dear Aunt Harriet, Julie, Joyce, Fritz and Debbie, you have my sympathy, love and prayers. My heart hurts for each of you. Remember the special times that you shared and treasure those moments. May God’s love surround you and give you comfort and peace. Uncle Art was loved much and will be missed. I love you all!

  5. Lisa Kilawee on May 29, 2012 said:

    Dear Fritz & Family- I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. I think of you and your family often & have watm memories of your Mom and Dad from when we were in high school. Mostly of me dropping by to take us off on some later night adventure or another. Your Dad always had a big smile and a list of reminders – Don’t drink too much (it was the 80s…), be home before midnight (nothing good happens after midnight),drive carefully, etc. I always admired how smart he was. Not too many engineers in the ‘hood back then.
    You have my deepest sympathy.
    Lisa (Nelson) Kilawee

  6. Lisa Kilawee on May 29, 2012 said:

    Fritz and Family-
    My deepest sympathy. I always will remember his words of wisdom and his awesome smile. Even if he questioned something he would always nod and smile with a sort of chuckle.
    Lisa (Nelson) Kilawee

  7. Jess Wright on May 30, 2012 said:

    Deb and family,

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones.
    Our sincerest condolences and peace be with you.

  8. John Behring on May 30, 2012 said:

    Dear Fritz, Julie, Joyce, Debbie and Aunt Harriet, I am so sorry that you lost such a good man in your life. I have many fond memories of your Dad when we were young and growing up. I always appreciated how close he was to my own father, both as a brother and a friend. One of my all time favorite family photographs is of the two of them together while serving in the Merchant Marines. He was always so well informed, interesting and fun for me to talk to. I respected him greatly and appreciated what a good husband and father he was to you kids. We are going to make a donation to Cancer Research in his name.
    With Love,
    John Behring and Family

  9. Nicole Wilson on June 4, 2012 said:

    I will miss my grandpa so much! Not a day will go by I won’t think about him. I couldn’t have asked for a better grandpa. I will cherish our memories forever!