Obituary of Shirley Behm

Shirley Behm, 80, of Esko, MN passed away peacefully November 19, 2023 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, with her family by her side. She was born June 13, 1943 to Neil and Ailie Koskela in Cloquet, MN. She was a 1961 graduate of Cloquet High School and went on to attain her diploma later that same year from Wanner’s School of Beauty Culture. Shirley was united in marriage to Walter Behm of Fond Du Lac, MN on November 24, 1962 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cloquet.

Shirley worked as a bookkeeper for several area businesses over the years. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile as well as being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, cousin and friend. She was passionate about her family and loved ones, she liked to host family dinners and get togethers. She was very proud and supportive of her three sons and grandchildren’s accomplishments be it sports, music and performing arts or their jobs in general. Throughout the years many weekends were spent on camping and fishing trips with family and friends. For the past 13 years, Shirley and Walt were snowbirds in Casa Grande, AZ where they developed long lasting friendships. There she took on the role as treasurer of the Fairways Activities Committee. Shirley also liked to participate in water aerobics and loved to socialize over coffee, cards and conversations with friends. Most of all she enjoyed being away from the cold Minnesota winters.

She is preceded in death by her father, Neil Koskela; mother, Ailie (Siltanen) Koskela; and brother, Melvin Koskela.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 61 years, Walter Behm; sister-in-law, Frances Koskela; sons, Curtis (Jona), Rodney (Julie), Thomas; grandchildren, Catherine, Stella, Brianna (Scott), Connor (Kalynn), Cayson, Kaz (Lydia), Kallen (Dayna); and 5 great grandchildren.

***In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the St. Matthew’s Memorial Committee Fund.***

A Memorial Service will be held on December 16, 2023 at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 4 Elizabeth Ave, Esko, MN 55733. Visitation: 12:00pm (noon) until the service begins at 1:00pm. Light lunch to follow. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, 801 14^th Street, Cloquet, MN 55720. To sign the guest book and leave an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com.