TISKILWA — Lester Raymond Behrends, Sr, 93 of Tiskilwa, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Lester was born on Sept. 28, 1923 to John and Fannie Behrends of Hanna City.

He married Ester Mae Hull on May 3, 1944. Lester was very proud to share with others the love story that he and Ester had for nearly 73 years.

They are the parents of Janet (Dale) Fox, Margaret Copher, Lester (Cindy) Behrends, Jr. and Ronald (Eileen) Behrends, all of Tiskilwa, John (Lynn) Behrends, of Moline, Bob (Carol) Behrends, of Crystal Lake, Rick (Joyce) Behrends, of Monroe, Wash., and Donald (Shelley) Behrends, of Amboy. He has 18 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Reaka DeWeerth, Tena Reinholtz, Henritta Burt and Anna Stange; two brothers, Henry Behrends and Cornelius Behrends, who died in infancy.

Lester and Ester farmed for many years in various locations. They settled in Tiskilwa on the current farm in 1971.