Davenport - Burnelle Keith "BK" Behncke, 92, formerly of Davenport, passed away October 26, 2012, in Monmouth, Ill.

A memorial service will be held at National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal. The Runge Mortuary, Davenport, is in charge of arrangements. Memorials can be made to Warren County Library in Monmouth.

BK was born August 31, 1920, in Lancaster, Wisconsin. He was a sergeant in the Marine Corps and a member of the second division that fought in the South Pacific in World War II. He was married to Ruth Kern on March 11, 1945. After leaving the military service, they moved to Davenport where he worked building the Alcoa plant. He started BK Behncke Construction in 1949 and retired in 1982. The business is still owned and operated by his son Laird. He and Ruth retired to Okeechobee, Florida, and resided there for 25 years.

BK loved to read and instilled in his children that passion. He was an avid fisherman, a master bee keeper, a founding member of Faith United Church of Christ in Davenport, and a 32nd Degree Mason.

BK is survived by his son, Laird (Kathy) of Davenport; daughters, Terry (Dave) Kautz of Monmouth and Jill (James) Schlott of Iowa City; son-in-law, John Seveland of Florida; grandchildren, Sean and Chad Seveland, Nathan and John Kautz, Lea Behncke, Kelly Schlott, and Patricia Schlott Ludvicek; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years Ruth, daughter, Linda Seveland, and granddaughter, Carly Behncke.
(Quad-City Times, Oct. 30, 2012)