Wilma Ellen (Covalt) Behm, 84, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2026, in Rapid City, South Dakota. She is now free from the grips of Alzheimer’s and reunited with her beloved husband, Wesley.
Wilma was the firstborn child to Victor E. and Betty J. (Douglass) Covalt on April 26, 1942, in Alliance, Nebraska. She first attended a one-room schoolhouse, then finished at Alliance public schools, graduating with honors in 1960.
Wilma graduated from the Northwestern College of Chiropractic in 1963 and attended the University of Minnesota to earn her Chiropractic License. She married Wesley A. Behm in Minneapolis, MN on September 21, 1963. They became known as the “Ws” for their 60 years of marriage and raised two daughters, Ellen Jo and Karen Lee.
In 1970, the Ws purchased a small acreage near Prior Lake, MN. Wilma operated a successful Chiropractic practice for over 30 years. She served on the MN State Board of Chiropractic Examiners. She was politically active and served as a Scott County MN Commissioner and in various community groups. When Wes retired in 2000, the Ws moved to Hill City, South Dakota. Wilma practiced in Hill City for four more years before joining Wes in retirement.
Wilma was a woman of many abilities and talents. Retirement allowed her to pursue her artistic interests in sewing, oil painting, sculpture and stained-glass. She also researched and wrote or compiled several books to preserve family history. Wilma was a caregiver by nature and a friend to many, always willing to help anyone in need. We were all blessed to have had Wilma in our lives.
She will be missed by those she leaves behind: her daughters Ellen (Tim) Dietlein, Karen (Randy) Crooks. Brothers Blaine (Claudio) Covalt, Victor E. (Ann) Covalt III and brother-in-law Ed Dentler; grandchildren Sierra (Luke) Hanson and Samantha (Dever) Crooks; great-grandchildren Sutton Hanson, Ashby Hanson and Dire Crooks; and her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Wes, her parents, her brother Paul Jay Covalt, her sister Alice J. Dentler, and her grandson Taylor Dietlein.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity or to help someone in need. Cards may be sent to 23649 Busted Five CT, Rapid City, SD 57702.