Marla Rae Behm, 66, of Sioux Falls, formerly of Canova and Bismarck, N.D., died Saturday, Aug. 27 at Dow Rummel Village at Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services were Tues., Aug. 30, at Immanuel Lutheran Church of rural Canova, burial followed in the church cemetery. Marla is sister to Citizen-Tribune staffer Dick Behm.

 

Marla Rae Behm was born Dec. 6, 1949, at Canova to Gilbert and Elfrieda (Jech) Behm. She received her B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry at SDSU in 1975, and then a doctoral degree at Purdue University in Biochemistry.

 

She taught at University of Mary where she received many awards including bestowed as Professor Emeriti,

 

She retired in 2015 and moved to Dow Rummel in Sioux Falls. She exemplified the life of a passionate teacher for, “Great teachers stand alone in their value to society. Their influence carries on eternally.” 

 

She is survived by her brother, Richard Behm of Maple Lake, Minn.; sister, Glenda (Tom) Gassman of Canova; two nephews; one neice; and eight great-nephews and -nieces.

 

She is preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Jim Behm.

 

In Lieu of flowers, donations should be directed to the Dr. Marla Behm Endowed Scholarship or the Immanuel Lutheran Church. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.willoughbyfh.com.