Edwin 'Ed' Behrens, 92

Edwin “Ed” Behrens, 92, passed away in Sandpoint, Idaho, on Thursday, June 10, 2010.

Family services will be scheduled later and inurnment will be in Pinecrest Memorial Park.

Ed was born in Tilden, Neb., on July 24, 1917, the son of John and Wilamina Behrens. In 1929 the family moved to the Sandpoint area and Ed attended local schools.

During World War II he served with the U.S. Navy, as a motor machinists mate, in a landing craft division. On July 24, 1942, he and Clara A. Petit were married in Sand-point. 

Ed owned, and operated, the Mobil Station on First Avenue, in Sandpoint, from 1948 until 1951. 

After selling the station he, and Clara, opened the Pine Rock Motel and Truck Stop, in Ponderay by the Elk’s Golf Course.  In the 1960’s he took his Real Estate exams and became a broker for John Smith Realty, beside Harold’s IGA.  He later changed the name to Behren’s Real Estate, which he operated until retiring in 1975.

His retirement winters were in Kona, Hawaii, where he spent his days sitting by the seawall, carving animals, and birds, and selling them to visitors. His summers were spent fishing on his homemade barge, and carving. He owned a garage full of carvings, more than 20 years of extensive carvings were stored there.

Ed is survived by two daughters, Donna (and Byron) Steinacher and Karen (and Jim) Metcalf; his grandchildren, Chris (and Dianna) Eaton, Leila (and Doug) Robertson, Lane Steinacher and (Jenelle Klontz), James Ward (and Michelle Toscano),  Dr. Michelle Ward, (and Dan Hoogheem); his great-grandchildren, Keith Kehle, Titus and Chase Turner, Bryce Eaton, Alec and Riley Ward, Alyssa Pils; and a sister, Fern.

Family and friends are invited to sign Ed’s online guestbook at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.