Dorothy Barr

Dorothy Lois Hansen was born December 30, 1916 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Herbert and Laura (Osterman) Hansen. She grew up and attended school and graduated from high school in Chicago. In 1938 Dorothy was united in marriage to Bernard J. Behrens at Windsor Park Lutheran Church. The couple made their home in Chicago and was blessed with two children, Richard and Barbara. Dorothy and Bernard decided they wanted to raise their children in a different environment and moved their family to Bentonville, AK. When Bernard became ill the family returned to Chicago where Bernard died. Dorothy then moved her family to Homewood, IL. Dorothy was hired by the Allis Chalmers Company and became the executive secretary to the general plant manager at the Engine Division in Harvey, Illinois. In 1965 Dorothy was united in marriage to Walter E. Barr. The couple made their home in Bremerton Woods in Hazel Crest, IL. Dorothy continued with Allis Chalmers Co. In 1969 Walter died and Dorothy moved to Matteson, IL. In 1988 Dorothy retired from Allis Chalmers. Following her retirement Dorothy moved with her daughter and son-in-law, Don, to Henning, MN and lived in a home near them. In 2004 Dorothy moved to the Good Samaritan Center in Battle, Lake, MN. Dorothy was a longtime member of the Salem Lutheran Church in Homewood where she was active in the Ladies? Aid, WOWS, and other church activities. Dorothy loved to flower garden and taught herself oil painting. On Friday, July 9, 2010 Dorothy died at the age of ninety-three years. She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Bernard Behrens and Walter Barr and one grandchild, Barbara Behrens. Dorothy is survived by her two children, Richard Behrens and wife, Judy, of Eagle River, WI and Barbara Burbach and husband, Don, of Henning; six grandchildren, David Burbach, Laura Burbach, Sheryl Young, Deborah Schauger, Sandra Shorey and Richard Alan Behrens, II; thirteen great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; and one brother H. Jack Hansen and wife, Joan, of Elburn, IL. A funeral service was held Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at St. Paul?s Lutheran Church in Henning. Rev. R. Mayland officiated. Music was provided by organist, Diann Gutknecht. and soloist, Dick Cloeter. Interment followed in Inman Cemetery. Pallbearers included David Young, Don Burbach, Kevin Meyer, Josh Eckhoff and Richard Alan Behrens II. Dorothy was loved dearly and will be greatly missed. Memorials are preferred to the St. Paul?s Lutheran Church Pall Fund or the Battle Lake Good Samaritan Center Building Fund. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.