Alicia Behrhorst

Alicia was born and raised in the majestic highlands of Guatemala. She attended the Instituto Indígena Misionero Metodista in Guatemala where she received her degree as a missionary and teacher. During her time there she learned Spanish and four other Mayan languages, spoken and written, to accomplish her missionary field work. Alicia went on to become a nurse. She worked with her late husband, Dr. Carroll Behrhorst, as one his first multilingual nurses to reach the indigenous people in the highlands of Guatemala. Her life’s work was to care for those in need. She served as nurse, advocate, interpreter, guide, and mentor to her community, working at the Behrhorst Foundation clinic, hospital, and its programs to support its critical mission for over 25 years. Alicia served hundreds of patients and touched many more lives than we can account for through her work in Guatemala. She also served as an advocate for her Mayan Guatemalan people as she and her husbands hared their work in public health world-wide.

In the mid-eighties, Alicia and Carroll chose New Orleans as their new home. Alicia’s love for the city and its rich culture would make this move permanent. During her time in New Orleans, Alicia worked for Tulane University as instructor of the Kaqchikel language in the Department of Anthropology, Lesser-Known Languages for many years, helping develop both students and materials for didactic instruction for language mastery and acquisition. It was her contribution to carrying on and studying her native language. Alicia also worked for the International, a home nursing company, for several years visiting patients in home care with specific language needs. She was an advanced and gifted gardener whose seedlings and plants did not fail. She loved her garden of spring blooms, including azaleas, gardenias, and fruit trees

Alicia, as a Christian missionary at her core, also supported several churches and their pastors in Guatemala and in New Orleans. Serving as a founding member, wise counsel and mentor. These churches include La Grey de Dios, Iglesia El Calvario, Comunidad Christina International, and Verbo in Guatemala; Amor Viviente and other congregations in New Orleans. She was a member of Faith Church (Word of Faith) and Amor Viviente and current member of Verbo of New Orleans.

Alicia was an elder to her Kaqchikel community in Guatemala and Hispanic community in New Orleans. A standard bearer for the Mayan indigenous dignity and way of life.

During her time in New Orleans, Alicia became a longtime New Orleans Saints fan. She also shared her love with the family cats that guarded her to the end – Max, her personal guardian, Tito, Fluffy and Maggie.

Alicia will be deeply missed by her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends. As the last elder to our Nicolas family of her generation she is recognized and honored. Her love, compassion, kindness, strength, generosity, and her commitment to many of us have set us up for life. We, family, honor her and give her thanks.

Alcia is preceded in death by her spouse, Dr. Carroll D. Behrhorst; parents, Enrique Nicolas and Maria Antolina Asimoc de Nicolas; sisters, Mecedes Nicolas de Cali, Margarita Nicolas de Pinzon, and Estela Nicolas de Zambrano; brothers, Miguel Nicolas, Guillermo Nicolas; stepdaughter, Lisa Stephens.

Alicia is survived by her daughters, Daesy Behrhorst (Edward Peters) of Omaha, NE and Jessica Behrhorst of New Orleans, LA; sons, Luis H. (Alma) Behrhorst of New Orleans, LA and Miguel Behrhorst of New Orleans, LA; stepdaughters and stepsons: Carroll Ann (Theone) Maupin of Idaho Falls, ID and Elizabeth Anne (Scott) Olsen, Christopher Behrhorst of LaPlace, LA, Kurt Behrhorst of New Orleans, LA, and Gregory King Behrhorst of New Orleans; grandchildren: Luis E. Behrhorst (Rachel Brown), Ishmael (Brittany) Behrhorst, Rebecca Behrhorst, Jonathan (Leslie) Maupin, Sean (Shawna) Maupin; Christian Maupin, Amy Maupin, Carlie Peters, and Sarah Peters.

Alicia will be interred in her hometown of Chimazat. Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life service that will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Verbo New Orleans, 2601 Florida Ave Kenner, LA 70062.