Otto K. Behrens, Jr.

Loved by all, Otto Behrens was a man of integrity who counted his family as his greatest blessing. With faith as his guide, he was a wonderful provider and family man. Rich are the memories he leaves behind, and richer still is Ottos legacy.

The year 1938 overflowed with mixed blessings in America. While the U.S made great economic strides after the hardships of the Great Depression, an unwelcome recession found unemployment rates once again reaching drastic levels and the minimum wage law was established. The struggles of this generation found relief from everyday worries enjoying the sounds of jazz, and movie greats filled the big screen. In the bustling city of New York, New York, the birth of Otto Karl Behrens Jr. on October 15, 1938 filled his parents, Otto K. and Effie Joan (Roberts) Behrens Sr. hearts with joy.

Otto was nine months old when his parents moved to England, yet at the onset of World War II, they quickly made their way back to the U.S. They settled in Indianapolis, Indiana where Otto was raised alongside his younger sister, Joan. A young boy of his generation, Otto enjoyed childhood adventures and was active with the First Baptist Church Youth Group. He was involved in Boy Scouts and later became an Eagle Scout. From a young age, Otto enjoyed photography. While at camp one summer, he sent a letter to his parents asking them to send him $20.00 for a camera via Western Union, and the sooner the better!

In high school, Otto played the clarinet before graduating from Shortridge High School in 1956. He went on to earn his B.A. from DePauw University, and in 1961, he returned tothe east coastto earn his M.B.A. from Rutgers University.

During this time in Ottos life he proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, and in 1961, he began his career working on Wall Street. It was a busy time altogether and one he held with fond remembrance, especially after meeting the young woman who forever changed his heart. On July 29, 1961, Otto and his friend Bill went on a double, blind date. Otto began the evening with Anne, and Bill was with Diane. Together they enjoyed a dinner party in Smoke Rise, New Jersey, and as they were about to leave for NYC for a night on the town, Diane needed to drop her car off, and Otto rode with her. By the time they all met up again, they had each switched dates and hit it off seemingly well. As fate would have it, both couples married and came to celebrate over 50 years of marriage.

Otto married his sweetheart, Diane Lucas Rankin in Butler, New Jersey on December 22, 1962. They first lived in a small apartment in NYC and eventually bought a VW Beetle with a sunroof for $1,800.00. When Christmas came around, Otto bought a real Christmas tree and the only way to get it home was to drive over the George Washington Bridge with it sticking through the sunroof and surely a sight to see!

After working on Wall Street as an accountant for Ernest Ernest in New York, raising a family in a less hectic lifestyle was just what they needed. In 1965, Otto moved his wife andbaby daughterto the state of Indiana to live a Midwestern life. They made their first home in Warsaw where Otto worked with R.R. Donnelly. Several years later in 1970, they moved to Columbia City when Otto purchased the Jack Gwin Accounting firm, later renaming it, Otto Behrens, CPA. Moving to Columbia City and running his own firm allowed Otto a more flexible schedule, enabling him to be involved with his family and his childrens activities.

As a father, Otto was encouraging and loving. He made a good life for Dianeand their four children, which came to include, Connie Jo, CherylAnn, Karl, and Carrie Lynn. Ottos family brought him the greatest joy and through the years, they enjoyed memorable holidays and vacations. He served as a coach for Carrie and Karls softball and baseball teams, and through his kids endeavors, Otto supported them all the way. He was there for every big moment, sporting event, band and choir concerts alike.

Otto was very intelligent and by way of example, he was a wonderful teacher. His children remember well riding in the car asking him questions, and he always knew the answer. There wasnt anything Otto wouldnt do for his family. He even re-arranged his career to be involved as much as he could as a father. His children each have a story of a forgotten item he went out of his way to get for them. Just as devoted, Otto helped care for his mom when she lived alone in Indianapolis and when she moved to Fort Wayne in her last years.

Never afraid to take on something new, if Otto knew nothing about it, he learned. This was especially so when he bought a farm. Although he grew up in the city, somewhere in Otto there was a country boy at heart. Otto went on to raise sheep, horses, ponies, cows, pigs, dogs, cats, ducks, and chickens on their family farm in Thorncreek Township and for 26 years Otto relished his new lifestyle. He also treasured family pets, including a bird named Skipper and his dog, Sandy. Most recently, his dog, Sadie was always at Ottos side. She rode with him everywhere, and she slept near his feet until her passing last summer. Otto loved to bird watch, and he knew every bird at the feeder. In his free time, Otto enjoyed his talent for working with stained glass and woodworking.

Otto was quite a numbers man. He loved keeping stats for his kids teams, and back before the internet was readily available. He was one of the first around to buy a personal computer and kept stats for the Columbia City Cross Country team and for all the sports teams Karl was involved in. Watching the stock market was one of Ottos passions. He had a natural knack for investing, and he did quite well at it, too. Otto was very involved in his community. He served as a deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Wayne where he was also a 20-year member of the choir. He was an elderat theTrinity Presbyterian Church in Columbia Cityand chairman of the building committee forTrinity EvangelicalPresbyterian Church. Otto was vice president of the Lakeland Girl Scout Association, past president of the Whitley County Planning Commission, and Chancel Choir member. As a past docent at the Fort Wayne Childrens Zoo, he loved his time volunteering there and was partial to the giraffes. His other memberships included the Rotary Club, United Fund, Whitley County Chamber of Commerce, Emeritus Board Member of Heartland Sings, and a 4-H Sheep Club Leader.

Otto loved singing in the choir. In 1995, Otto traveled to Scotland and Ireland with his choir, along with Diane, his mother, and sister. A time to remember, they traveled to Wales to see the birthplace of his mother and Dianes family in Ireland. For their 50th wedding anniversary, Otto and Diane took their entire family on a seven-day cruise. On the last night at a special dinner honoring their years together, Otto lovingly sang, Let Me Call You Sweetheart to Diane which will remain a lasting memory.

With his love for cooking, Otto enjoyed new recipes but stuck to traditional favorites for holidays. Breaded tenderloins were his specialty. Ottos Behrens humor will always be remembered. If someone said they had to run to the store, Otto suggested they might want to drive or their legs will tire. He particularly liked kidding with the grandkids and he counted his times with them as the best times ever. Each Saturday, Otto and his daughter, Connie went to the farmers market and when he saw pretty flowers, hed ask her to buy them for his girlfriend, Diane. He also liked getting the delicious cinnamon rolls there every week, too.

Just as Otto was there for those he loved, they too were there for him when he needed it most. During his time with hospice over the last ten months, his children and others were with Otto daily. His grandchildren made regular visits, and when Otto peacefully passed away, he was holding the hands of his wife and surrounded by 18 other family members who lovingly talked and prayed with him into his journey home. Although a quiet man, Otto maintained his humor until the very end. His lasting influence will always be seen in the faces of his family, and the light in their eyes every time they speak of him, the life he lived, and the hearts he touched.

Otto Karl Behrens Jr., age 77, of Columbia City, IN passed away peacefully at 10:56 p.m., surrounded by his loving family, on Friday April 22, 2016, at his residence. Survivors include his loving wife of 53 years, Diane Rankin Behrens of Columbia City; children, Connie Jo (Ron) Raypole of Columbia City, CherylAnn (Jim) Collett of Larwill, Karl (Tammy) Behrens of Fort Wayne, and Carrie Lynn (Mark) Snyder of Fort Wayne; grandchildren, Samantha (Brad) Smith, Courtney (Ryan) Bumbaugh, Carson Schrader, Corinna Raypole, Alexandria Schrader, Kolin Behrens, Brendan Creech, Kailey Behrens, Kendall Creech, Colten King, Adrienne Creech, and Addison Creech; two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Adelynn Smith; sister, Joan (Calen) Rayne of Asheville, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto Karl Sr. and Effie Joan Behrens.

Friends may call on Friday, April 29, 2016, 2-4 6-8 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN. Funeral services for Otto will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 30, 2016, at First Presbyterian Church, 300 West Wayne Street, Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior. Private burial will take place at Greenhill Cemetery, Columbia City. Memorial contributions in memory of Otto may be made to First Presbyterian Church Music Series, Heartland Sings, or Heartland Home Health Hospice. Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to sign Ottos online guest register, to share a favorite memory and/or to send a condolence.