Margaret Irmgard Behling, 101, entered into her eternal rest on May 23, 2026, surrounded by family.
Margaret was born on April 5, 1925, in Bad Wildungen, Germany, to Karl and Lina Griesel, the third of four children. Her early years were spent in a home built along the old town wall before her family built what they lovingly called the “new house.” She often shared fond memories of taking walks with her father on Sundays to the orchard.
As a young woman, Margaret trained as a bookkeeper and worked in the biggest hotel in town during and after World War II. Following the war, the American military family living in her parent’s home knew of a young soldier who needed a date for a dance. That evening marked the beginning of a lifelong love story with Ewald Behling. She liked to tell the story that everyone at the dance thought they were already married. Margaret and Ewald shared 69 wonderful years of marriage together.
Margaret came to the US with Ewald in 1950. After a few moves with the army to Texas and Colorado, they settled near Beemer, Nebraska. For many years, they lived on a farm near Beemer and then near West Point. It was here that they raised their 3 older daughters. When they were blessed with 2 more daughters, Margaret said it was time to move to town, so they moved to West Point in 1973.
Margaret worked as a seamstress in town and volunteered at the girls’ school. After Ewald retired, they started to travel. They went back to Germany several times and visited 46 states. In 1990, they moved to Fremont and enjoyed many years there.
Margaret was blessed with the gift of hospitality. Few visitors ever left her home without sharing a cup of coffee at her table. Being so far from her family in Germany, Margaret created family wherever she lived. Country neighbors, church friends, “the German Girls,” and the dear friends she made at Nye Square were all welcomed and cherished as family.
Margaret found joy in life’s simple pleasures – a good cup of coffee, a slice of German cake, and chocolate. Above all else, she cherished her family. They were the center of her life and her greatest joy.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Ewald, her parents, her brothers and sister, and her son-in-law, Stuart Anderson.
Left to treasure her memory are her daughters, Janet (Roger) Pickering, Barbara (Jerry) Keasling, Odessa Anderson, Jennifer (Paul) Gierke, and Christi (Shawn) Donald; 28 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; her sisters-in-law, Lydia Lambrecht and Wynona Behling; her cousin, Karl Heinz Koch; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Margaret’s family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Dunklau Gardens in Fremont for their kindness and excellent care during her time there.
A celebration of her life will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Moser Memorial Chapel in Fremont, Nebraska. A memorial visitation will begin at 9:30 am. A luncheon will follow at the Fremont Golf Club.
Interment of Margaret and Ewald will take place at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, near Beemer, NE at 3:30 pm. Online condolences may be left at www.mosermemorialchapels.com.
Moser Memorial Chapel 2170 N. Somers Ave. Fremont, NE 68025 402-721-4490.