Gwendolyn Faye Behrends

GWENDOLYN FAYE BEHRENDS, the daughter of William and Marlene
(Hamman) Bosch was born on October 1, 1964 in Lakefield, Minnesota. Gwen
passed away on March 26, 2019. Her age at the time of death was 54 years, 5
months and 25 days. Gwen was baptized on March 24, 1967 at Bethlehem
Lutheran Church in Lakefield, Minnesota.
As a youth, she graduated from Jackson Minnesota High School in 1983. She
attended Jackson Minnesota Vocational School after high school graduation
and obtained a degree as a Medical Transcriptionist. She later attended Rock
Valley College in Rockford, Illinois earning an Associate Degree in Science in
2013. On December 17, 1983 she was united in marriage to Jay Behrends and
they established their home in Estherville, Iowa. One daughter, Britney, was
born to the couple. Gwen was later in a relationship with Steven Waffle.
As a Certified Nursing Assistant for many years in Northwest Iowa and Northern
Illinois, Gwen touched many lives. She was a caring and compassionate
individual. On July 13, 2017 Gwen became a Certified Phlebotomy Technician
and was employed by Swedish American Health Systems in Rockford, Illinois.
Gwen was a proud mother and grandmother to her daughter Britney and
granddaughter Kyndra who was the light of her life. In her spare time, she
enjoyed cross-stitch needlework, experiencing many amusement parks, and
had extensive collection of vintage glassware and salt and pepper shakers. She
also loved spending time with her family and friends.
She is survived by her daughter, Britney (Mason) Greig and granddaughter,
Kyndra, of Mundelein, Illinois; one brother, Robert Bosch of Tecumseh,
Michigan; three sisters, Wanda (Larry) Hutchins of Spirit Lake, Iowa, Laurie
(Terry) Podeszwa of Stillman Valley, Illinois, and Michelle Bosch of Spirit Lake,
Iowa; stepmother Diane Bosch of Lakefield, Minnesota; nieces and nephews,
Ashley Winters, Amber Berglund, Molly, Kelly, and Kyle Hutchins, Joseph and
Johanna Podeszwa, Jacey, Taran, and Zane Bosch, Timothy Koen; and many
aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
She has been preceded in death by her parents, William and Marlene Bosch;
maternal grandparents, Raymond and Marlys Hamman; paternal grandparents,
Gerrit and Irene Bosch; brother-in-law, Jeff Podeszwa; and Jay Behrends.
She will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2019 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford with Pastor Jared Katke officiating. Burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from 1:00 - 2:00pm Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Rock Church or to the Domestic Violence Program though Rockford Rescue Mission. To express condolences online, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com