Parke Behn

Cedar Falls Parke H. Behn died peacefully in his sleep at his home on Sunday, December 4, 2011. Born on July 23, 1941 in Mt. Pleasant, IA, to John and Eileen Day Behn, he graduated from Monticello High School and attended Iowa State Teachers College. He married Marlene Wynn on June 27, 1964. They became the parents of Brock and Beth Behn. His professional career included executive positions with Control-O-Fax, Professional Office Services, Medical Technology, and Net Worth Advisors. A dedicated community leader, Parke served in leadership roles on many boards and capital campaigns. As a music lover, Parke was President of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra Board for three terms and chaired the UNI Suzuki School of Music Endowment Campaign. Parke was a member of the committee that oversaw the design and construction of the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center and served as President of the PAC Advisory Board. An active member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Parke served on the vestry and chaired two capital campaigns. A former President of the boards of Sartori Memorial Hospital and Covenant Health Systems, he was currently serving on the multi-state Wheaton-Franciscan Healthcare Board. Among Parke's other areas of service were the UNI Athletic Club, Cedar Falls Lions Club, Junior Achievement, Community Foundation and Goodwill Industries. Parke was a recipient of the UNI Distinguished Leadership Award and was inducted into the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame. He and Marlene were selected as the Cedar Falls Representatives for extraordinary community leadership in 1996. Parke is survived by his wife of 47 years, Marlene, their daughter Beth (Julie Shappy) and grandchildren Parke and Twila Shappy-Behn of Cornwall On Hudson, NY, his sister, Carole Greenawald of Indianapolis IN, his brother, John Behn of Cedar Rapids, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Brock. Visitation will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church from 4 to 7 PM on Tuesday, December 6th. Services will be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church (through the auspices of St. Luke's Episcopal Church) at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, December 7th. Memorials may be directed to Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra or St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Richardson Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.richardsonfuneralservices.com

Parke Behn

July 23, 1941 - December 4, 2011