Linda A. Behnke

Linda Ann (Swiatnicki) Behnke, 73, of Peshtigo, passed away Tuesday, March 14th after a courageous battle with cancer.  Born February 21, 1950, first child of the late Edwin and Marcella (Ducaine) Swiatnicki, she graduated from Peshtigo High School class of 1968. August 5, 1972 Linda married the love of her life, John C. Behnke.  He preceded her in death January 23, 2016. Linda’s first job was babysitting at the age of 10 for 25 cents per hour. Over the years she worked as a waitress at Dome Lanes, Peshtigo Times, an in-home babysitter, and the print shop and factory at Badger Paper Mill. In 1990 Linda began working at Peshtigo Pharmacy with whom she retired.

Linda enjoyed weekends at the family cabin, swimming, picking berries, creating memories with her children and grandchildren, going to concerts, taking bus tours, and dinners and coffee clutching with friends and family. Linda was also a highly dedicated member of St. Mary's Parish where she counted money, cleaned linens, was a member of several committees, and most recently the Women’s Club.

Linda is survived by, 3 daughters, Cheryl (Tim) Meadows, Amy (Joey) Heins, and Kari (Aaron) Gurney; her grandchildren, Colin, Isaiah, Noah, Ashley, Kaylee, Tyler, Mikayla and Zack; Also survived by 6 sisters, Sandra (Mark) Lange, Susie (Tom) Christianson, Rosalie (Ray) Dura, Theresa (Tom) Dura, Laurie (Leonard) Dura, and Marcia (Scott) Grom; 2 brothers, Dan (Rhonda) Swiatnicki and John (Robin) Swiatnicki;  nieces, nephews and special friends.

Along with her parents and her husband, John, she was preceded in death by a sister, Melissa and a brother, David John.

Visitation will be held Saturday, March 25th at St. Mary Catholic Church in Peshtigo from 8:00 am until time of funeral Mass at 11:00 am with Father Edmundo Siguenza officiating.  Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Peshtigo.  Berth & Rosenthal Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Linda's memory.

The family would like to share a special thank you to St. Mary's Parish, the Aurora BayCare Oncology team and Heartland/ProMedica Hospice for such good care and compassion given to Linda.