Diana B. Behrens

Diane Behrens passed away at home Dec. 8, 2016, surrounded by her loving family. Her peaceful death marks the end of a long fight with brain cancer, but not before creating cherished memories, most notably the joy of visits with her first great-grandchild. She recently celebrated her 80th birthday at a party attended by dozens of loved ones. Born in Chicago on Sept. 13, 1936, to Luise and Ernst Moell, little Diana Barbara always loved to sing; she was an early member of the Kinderchor, a children’s chorus. She attended Amundsen High School, where she met many lifelong friends. Diane married William James Behrens in 1957; they raised three children and became proud grandparents to five. A lifelong member of the Ravenswood United Church of Christ, Diane served on the church council and sang in the choir. She also made music for decades with the German American Singers of Chicago, last year reaching a combined 60 years of singing in Kinderchor and GAS. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill and both of her brothers, Bob and Hans. She is survived by her children, Janet (Jim) DeSalvo, Laura Zak and Web Behrens; grandchildren Elisabeth, Emily (Joe), James (Chelsea), Eric and Lauren; great-grandson William James; sisters-in-law Rosetta and Gloria; many nieces and nephews; and, in Germany, her Tante Babett and many beloved cousins. Wake will be held from 3-9 p.m. Tuesday, funeral 11 a.m. Wednesday at Oehler Funeral Home, 2099 Miner St., Des Plaines (847-824-5155, oehlerfuneralhome.com). In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Ravenswood UCC (ravenswooducc.org).