Wesley August Behm, age 85, of Hill City, South Dakota passed away on July 23, 2023 at his home, with his wife of 60 years, Wilma, by his side.
To honor his memory, per Wes's wishes, there will be a small family celebration of life and internment in Alliance, Nebraska at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity or help someone in need.
On November 5, 1937, Wes was the third son born to Walter and Elenora (Bode) Behm in Fairbault, Minnesota. The family later moved to the Duluth, Minnesota area and Wes graduated from Morgan Park High School. He joined the Army Reserves before moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota to attend Dunwoody Institute, graduating as a Design Draftsman. While living in Minneapolis, he met a young woman attending Chiropractic College, Wilma Covalt. Wes and Wilma were married on September 21, 1963 and would raise two daughters, Ellen Jo and Karen Lee.
In 1963, the family moved to Prior Lake, Minnesota where Wilma established her Chiropractic office, while Wes was employed as a Design Draftsman with the same company for 26 years until taking retirement. In the Fall of 2000, Wes and Wilma purchased a home in the Black Hills of South Dakota where they would enjoy their retirement years.
Wes was a man of many talents. He excelled at a variety of sports throughout his life, he was an avid motorcycle rider, he enjoyed being in his shop and creating woodworking project. He enjoyed animals, being outdoors, and landscaping their homes over the years. In the later years, Wes could be found sitting on his covered deck enjoying the view of the forest and watching the 1880 Train passing through.
Wes was a friend to many and always volunteered to help anyone who needed a hand. He was a man of true integrity, a man of his word, even if his words were few. When he spoke, he had something to say. He was kind to all and had a memorable grin. Wes was a loving, caring husband, father and friend. We are all blessed to have had him in our lives.
He will be missed by those he leaves behind: his wife, Wilma; daughters Ellen (Tim) Dietlein and Karen (Randy) Crooks; brother Walt Behm (Shirley); grandchildren Sierra (Luke) Hanson and Samantha (Dever) Crooks; great-grandchildren Sutton Hanson and Dire Crooks; and his nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Elenora Behm; brothers Norman and Eugene Behm; and grandson Taylor Dietlein.