BOONE, Iowa—Funeral arrangements are set for 98 year old Marvel Aileen Behn of Boone, Iowa. She passed away at the home of her daughter, Rebecca Behn Cowan, in Detroit, Texas, on Saturday, October 23, 2021. She had been living with Rebecca since September of 2020. Marvel was born on March 3, 1923, in Dallas Center, Iowa, the daughter of Galen Stine and Evelyn (Brennaman) Stine. After graduating high school, Marvel went to AIB College of Business and then worked for the Iowa Farm Bureau. She married Ernest Behn on March 4, 1943, in Ames, Iowa, after a short courtship. She and Ernie were married for 67 years and lived on a farm near Boone for most of that time.
She then started coloring photos and worked many years for Welch’s photo studios in Boone. When color photography took over, she began China painting and creating and decorating Fabergé eggs. She has a China-painted tile of a tiger on permanent display at the World China Painters Headquarters in Oklahoma City. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Boone and a long-time 4-H leader. She was a member of the Boone China Decorators, the Iowa World Organization of China Painters, and the World Organization, also IPAT, which is International Porcelain Artists and Teachers. She was also President of the Iowa Chapter in 1990 and 1991.
Marvelous Marvel, as her husband Ernie called her, was a wonderful wife, mother, and friend to many. She was an amazing cook who would willingly share these goodies and anything else she had. She was gracious and kind and thankful always–a great example to all who met her. A cousin once described her as the epitome of kindness.
Marvel was preceded in death by her husband Ernie in 2010, one brother, Ray Stine, and her parents Galen and Evelyn Stine.
Marvel is survived by 4 children: Connie (Charles) Tadlock of Winterset, Iowa; Dennie (Connie) Behn of Elizabeth, Colorado; Jerry (Dennise) Behn of Boone, Iowa; Rebecca Behn (Mark) Cowan of Detroit, Texas; 15 grandchildren: Chris (Dwayne) Taylor of Bonner Springs, Kansas; Brad (Alyssa) Tadlock of Winterset, Iowa; Brian (Laura) Tadlock of Lenexa, Kansas; Andrea (Mark) Disharoon of Kansas City, Missouri; Daniel (Andrea) Behn of Seminole, Florida; David (Stacy) Behn of Wichita, Kansas; Raelin (Billy) Saindon of Washington, D.C.; Theresa (Brian) Harvey of Parker, Colorado; Jason ((Melinda) Behn of Johnston, Iowa; Chad Behn of Boone, Iowa; Heather (Justin) Hardinger of Boone, Iowa; Jennifer Behn of Manhattan, Kansas; Alexis Cowan of Detroit, Texas; Tanessa Cowan of Detroit, Texas; Jessica Cowan of Edinburg, Texas, as well as 27 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren, and other relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church in Boone or Cypress Basin Hospice, Mt. Pleasant, Texas, in appreciation for the wonderful care they provided to Marvel.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 8, 2021, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boone. Interment will take place at Squire Boone Cemetery following the funeral service. Visitation will take place from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 7, 2021, at Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home in Boone.
Online condolences can be left at www.schroederfuneral.com
Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street in Boone is assisting the family with these arrangements.
Marvel Behn, 98, Boone, Iowa
