Ethel Elnora Behm, 97, lifelong resident of the Des Lacs/Burlington area, died in her home on Friday, September 2, 2016, with her loving family at her side.

Ethel was born on September 26, 1918, on the Marshall farm near Burlington, ND, to William and Hulda (Skoglund) Marshall. She was reared on the family farm in Burlington Township of Ward County with her older sister and three younger brothers. She went to a country school through the eighth grade and graduated from Burlington High School in 1936. She was employed at the Becker Hotel in Des Lacs and Trinity Hospital in Minot, but due to the failing health and death of her mother in 1943, she returned home to the family farm to help her father and younger brothers.

Ethel married John Jerome Behm on February 18, 1947, at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Minot. They made their home on the Reid Farm north of Minot, and in 1949, they purchased the Gunder J. Anderson Farm east of Des Lacs and established a home there. They were the proud parents of six children: Jerome, Dennis, Ronald, Russell, LaVern and Elaine, and Ethel's greatest joy was her family. John died on June 21, 1987, and Ethel continued to reside on the farm until her death, even checking on the harvest the afternoon before she died.

Ethel was a member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church of Minot.

Ethel's loving family includes her children: Jerome Behm of Burlington, Dennis (Sharon) Behm of Medina, Ronald (Arlene) Behm of Burlington, Russell (Pam) Behm of Minot, LaVern Behm of Burlington, and Elaine (Adolph) Jundt of Minot. Grandchildren: Angela (Jared) Ash, Jaimie (Randy) Brunner, Carrie (John) Holman, Erica (Kyle) Erck, Bryan (Kendra) Behm, Becky (Josh) Kraft, Christy (Ed) Rau, Kyle Jundt, Thomas (Dana Sparks) Behm, Mary (Lee) Novak, Katie (Dustin) Erickson, Jenny (Jared) Holznagel, Bethany (Dave) Warbitzky, John Behm (Brittny Riemer), and Meagan Behm. Great-grandchildren: Madison, Michael and Alyssa Ash; Kirstin, Maizey and Dane Brunner; Leah and Albert Holman; Hailee Jundt and Boden Erck; Kennedy and Trevin Behm; Mason, Makayla, Elizabeth and Isabella Kraft; Myah, Will and Hatti Rau; Ella, Emmy and Eva Novak; Delyla and Kipp Holznagel. Brother: Clarence Marshall of Minot. Sister-in-law: Jeanette Marshall of Minot. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sister and brother-in-law, Mildred and Elvin Nelson; her brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Ardyce Marshall; her brother, Glenn Marshall; and two infant grandsons, Michael and Todd Behm. Ethel's sister-in-law, Carole Marshall, also passed away late on September 2.

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, September 9, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church of Minot.
Vigil Prayer Service: Thursday, September 8, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church of Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park of Minot.
Visitation: Thursday, September 8, 2016, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Thomas Family Funeral Home of Minot and from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the church.