Verne Behnke

Verne William Behnke passed away July 10, 2018 at age 94. Born in Illinois on September 15, 1923, he graduated from Galesburg High School and received a scholarship to The University of Chicago.  World War II was intensifying and Verne joined the Marine Corps serving three years and obtaining the rank of Second Lieutenant.

Graduating from Princeton University (Class of 1947), Verne worked in New York City in finance, advertising and was instrumental in founding syndicated television.  He later started his own business brokering large cable TV systems.

Having an amazing bass voice, as a youth, he performed for the Illinois State Fair playing guitar and harmonica!  Verne also performed for ten years in Manhattan with the Blue Hill Troupe doing Gilbert and Sullivan shows.

With his partner Diane, they grew frazier fir trees in North Carolina.  One year 5,000 nine foot tall trees were shipped to New Orleans for Christmas!

Having a marvelous sense of humor, love of nature and extreme wit, Verne will be truly be missed and we wish him love and light for his next journey!
A celebration of life will be held on, Saturday, September 15th., at the Westin, Cypress Creek, poolside from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Donations in his memory can be made to Boys Town:
         Father Flanagan's Boys Home
         14100 Crawford Street
         P.O. Box 145
         Boys Town,  NE    68010

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Verne Behnke, please visit our floral store.