Obituary of Gerald Wayne Behrman

December 30, 1936 – Shaunavon, Saskatchewan

July 16, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Gerald “Jerry” Wayne Behrman of Calgary, AB, passed away on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at the Rockyview General Hospital, at the age of 87 years.

Jerry was born on December 30, 1936, in Shaunavon, SK, to Carl (Charlie) Behrman and Grace Behrman (nee Lester). His first four years were spent on a farm near Vidora, SK. After the family moved to Shaunavon, Jerry grew up with his older sister, Arlene, and had close connections to many uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Jerry attended school in Shaunavon until completing Grade Eleven, when he went to work full-time at his dad’s auto and farm machinery dealership. Over the next six years, he worked his way up from sweeping floors to the parts department. In 1958, Jerry attended a party and spotted a beautiful, young nurse, Marjorie Kistner, who was singing with others around a piano. Shortly afterward, Marj introduced herself to him and he was smitten. In his own words, “My goose was cooked.” Marj and Jerry married in 1959, and over the next four years, they had three sons, Michael, Mark, and Keith.

While Marj worked at the hospital, Jerry began farming full-time with his dad and uncle Herb, as well as working on an oil rig over one winter. Jerry eventually settled into a career as a farm machinery dealer, when he and his dad opened C.H. Behrman & Son. The next several decades were busy ones, where he eventually bought out his dad and solely operated the dealership, and beginning in 1977, managed a farming operation with his sister.

Jerry devoted years of service to civic groups such as the Shawnee and Kiwanis clubs. He was active in the Shaunavon curling rink and served as Chairman of the Shaunavon Rodeo. Jerry was elected to serve on the town council from 1970 – 1976, where he worked hard toward the flourishment of the community. Jerry was an adventurer, flying his own airplane, scuba diving, and bungee jumping. He and Marj enjoyed travelling together, visiting Europe, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Mexico as well as New Zealand and Australia. Jerry also joined group excursions to Thailand and the North Pole, which he enjoyed immensely.

Jerry retired from business in 1989, and after many happy years among close friends and family in Shaunavon, he and Marj moved to Qualicum Beach, BC, for a new chapter of their lives. There, they were active in golf and curling, and over the following thirty-two years shared countless happy times among their community of close friends. In 2021, they moved to Calgary, AB, to be closer to family and moved into the Lake Bonavista Village Retirement Residence.

Jerry was predeceased by his parents, Charlie and Grace Behrman; numerous aunts and uncles he grew up among, his father-in-law George Kistner, mother-in-law Bertha Kistner, brothers-in-law, Gordan Stenerson, Ken Kistner, and Carl Richter; sister-in-law Mable Richter, and grandson Scott Behrman.

Jerry is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Marj, sons, Mike (Debbie) Behrman, Mark (Roxanne) Behrman, and Keith Behrman; grandchildren, Shane (Kirsi), Conrad, Christopher (Claire), Cloé (Eric), Pascale and Maxime; great-grandchildren, Avery and Kaiya; sister Arlene and her children, Tim, Brad, and Leanne; brothers-in-law, Leonard and Gordon Kistner; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Jerry will be missed for his vitality, enthusiasm, and great sense of humour.

A Celebration of Jerry’s Life will be held in Calgary, AB, on Sunday, July 21, 2024.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Gerald’s family here.

In living memory of Gerald Behrman, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.