Lyland “Pete” Behr, 88, Luverne, died Friday, July 8, 2022, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
A funeral service was Tuesday, July 12, at First Presbyterian Church in Beaver Creek. Burial with full military honors followed at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Lyland “Pete” Chester Behr was born on March 24, 1934, to Edwin and Golda (Erwin) Behr in Kinbrae. He was raised on a farm near Ellsworth and later near Lowry, while also attending school.
Pete first worked for Hanson Silo and then at Christenson Trucking and later at Adrian Tile Factory. He then served in the United States Army infantry during the Korean War from 1955 to 1957. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned home and worked as a mechanic for Ulberg’s Garage in Sioux Falls.
Pete married Sonna Suurmeyer on May 24, 1958, at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. They made their home first in Sioux Falls. The couple then moved to Garretson, South Dakota, and purchased and operated the Texaco Gas Station along with operating an auto, truck and tractor repair shop from 1959 to 1965. They then made a move to Jackson, where Pete worked at General Trading, Ag-Chem and Mulligan Tire Service. He eventually went to work for the Jackson County Highway Department where he worked for 25 years until his retirement. In November of 1997, Pete and Sonna moved to Luverne.
Pete was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Beaver Creek. He enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and going to the casino to collect his free slots. During his later years, he enjoyed wintering with Sonna in Texas.
Pete is survived by his wife, Sonna, of Luverne; three children, Jeff (Beverly) Behr of Lehr, North Dakota, Jill (Darrel) Ykema of Luverne, and Joel Behr of Luverne; four grandchildren; six great-grandsons; five siblings, Marrian Sudenga of Sioux Falls, Frances (Don) Johnson of Sioux Falls, Phyllis (Charles) Danielson of Sioux Falls, and Ronald (Nelva) Behr of Hills; a sister-in-law, Helen Behr of Brainerd; a brother-in-law, Don Bryant of Pierre, South Dakota; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings, Everette (Donna) Behr, Lavern Behr, Barb Bryant, and Clifford Behr.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
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