Dean Dwayne Behrens

Dean Behrens, 46, of Westminster, CO, passed away June 2, 2007 in the Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver, CO. following his battle with brain cancer. Dean was born July 23, 1960 in Le Mars, IA to Dewey and Pat (Goodrich) Behrens. He was a 1978 graduate of the Meriden-Cleghorn High School in Cleghorn, IA. He received a degree in Mining Engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City in 1982. Following graduation, he worked for an oil well service company in Texas. He joined the Air Force and served in Germany from 1987 to 1990 as an Intelligence Officer. While there, he earned his Masters Degree in Business Management through Troy University. He completed 6 years of active duty in The Air Force and was in his 14th year in the Reserves. Dean lived in Westminster, CO since 1996 and was a co-owner of Spirit Express Trucking Company for the last seven years. Prior to that, he worked as a truck driver and a dispatcher. He was married to Laurie Kruse on May 15, 1983 in Sturgis, SD. They have three children: Nathan, Michael, and Bethany. Dean enjoyed running. His favorite run was The Pikes Peak Ascent half marathon, which he completed 14 times. This helped prepare him for the five marathons he completed. He also loved to read, especially when traveling to Mexico. Dean is survived by his wife and children, his parents, sisters Carol (Tom) Stockebrand, Elaine (Gary) Snyder and children Greg (Allison) and Brian, brother Keith (Deneise) Behrens and children Cody, Courtney, and Colby. He is also survived by his parents~in~law, Marion and Joyce Kruse, brothers~in~law, James (Marty) Kruse and children Joan and Diedre, Russell (Ralphine) Kruse and children Cassandra, Christopher, Calvin and Chad, sisters~in~law, Lisa (Scott) Bellew and children Kelsey and Carissa, Katherine (Byron) Sarchet and children Jordan, Rachel and Charlotte. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Emery and Mary (Zembsch) Goodrich and paternal grandparents Frank and Beatrice (Adams) Behrens. Visitation Tuesday, 4-8PM, Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 9998 Grant Street, Thornton. Funeral Service Wednesday, 10:00AM, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 8997 West 88th Avenue. Interment Fort Logan National Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to The Solid Education Foundation c/o Sara Doyle, 9878 Teller Court, Wesminster, Colorado 80021. Rocky Mountain Lutheran Highschool, 11700 Irma Drive, Northglenn, Colorado 80233. Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church & School, 8997 West 88th Avenue, Westminster, Colorado 80021.