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James William Behrends died at Mayo Clinic Health System-Mankato on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at the age of 86. He was born March 11, 1935 in Mountain Lake, MN to Fred and Ruth (Austin) Behrends. Earning his Eagle Scout Award in Boy Scouts was something that he felt proud of and provided opportunities to him throughout his life. Jim graduated from St. James High School in 1953. Jim and Phyllis (Hubert) were married on June 14, 1959 in Lamberton, MN.
After graduation from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1960, he served as a dentist in the United States Army before acquiring a private dental practice in Slayton, MN in 1962. Jim and Phyllis raised three daughters while in Slayton and then retired to Battle Lake in 1996. Together they enjoyed time each year with special friends in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. They had recently moved to St. James to be closer to family.
Service to the community of Slayton was a priority to Jim and he relished in his service with the Slayton Fire Department, First Presbyterian Church, and other community and professional organizations at the local and state level. He always enjoyed helping friends complete a project, fishing with his buddies, or playing a round of golf.
Jim’s happiest times were those spent with family and friends. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Phyllis; daughters, Catherine (John) Vande Braak of St. James, Anne (Dean) Olsen of St. James, and Susan (Brent) Asplin of Barrington, IL; grandchildren, Nathaniel (Jenni) Zinnel, Brianne (Brady) Hedstrom, Lydia (Mahmoud) Fall, Taylor (Sammy) Zinnel, Hope (Vela) Kuvaljia, Madeline (Joe) Stremcha, Hannah Nylander-Asplin, John Olsen, and William Asplin; and great grandchildren Annika Zinnel, Adira and Babacar Fall, Leo Zinnel, and Briar Hedstrom. He was looking forward to three more great grandchildren in 2021-2022. Jim is also survived by his brother, John Behrends of Mankato, MN.
He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Margaret Behrends, and son-in-law Capt. Keith G. Nylander.
The Memorial Service for Dr. James William Behrends was at 3:30pm on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church in St. James, MN. Visitation was from 1:30-3:30pm prior to the service. Burial will follow at a later time.
Military Honors at the Church by the St. James Honor Guard.
Messages of Sympathy may be sent to the family on line at www.kramerfuneralhome.com.
