Pamela Sue Behnke

Pamela Sue (Cravillion) Behnke age 68 passed away suddenly on June 20, 2022. Pam was the second oldest of six children born to Robert and Sylvia (Guse) Cravillion. Pam was born on December 27, 1953, in Fond du lac, WI and spent her childhood in Fond du lac and Sobieski finally landing in Appleton. Pam met the love of her life Cal Behnke at the Fourth of July celebration at Pierce Park. Cal recalls that upon seeing Pam the fireworks just exploded over their heads. Those fireworks continued for the next 46 years.

 

Pam was the matriarch of the family following the passing of their parents. She spent countless hours with the nieces and nephews and their children. She was definitely the “fun aunt” that they all simply adored. She will be deeply missed by every life she touched.

 

Pam worked as a nurse at Riverview and Brewster Village for 35 plus years. Upon retiring, she continued to care for the elder members of the community in home health care. Pam was adored by her clients, and people sought her out to assist them in their time of need.

 

An avid lover of nature, Pam loved to take rides around the state always taking a different route back than the one Cal took on the way out of town. She loved watching the birds and had a special affinity for Eagles and Owls. Cal remembers a time he denied her ability to spot a live owl when they went around the block on one of their outings and a bird that he denied was a “real owl” took off and flew away. Pam also enjoyed watching for bear and deer when up north at one of the family cabins.

 

Pam’s first plane ride was on her honeymoon to New Zealand. She developed a love of travel, returning to New Zealand on their five year anniversary, and subsequently traveling to Alaska, Hawaii, Italy and all over Canada and the US. She had an adventurous spirit that certainly kept Cal on his toes.  

 

Pam is survived by her husband Cal; siblings: Sue Vandertie, Mary (Jim) Ehrhardt, Joanne (Terry) VandenHeuvel, Laurie (Dave) Seebruch, Steve (Dar) Cravillion; aunt: Diane Robison; many nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews as well as brothers and sisters in law.

 

Pam was preceded in death by her parents: Sylvia and Robert Cravillion and her parents in law: Therese and Alger-Carl Behnke.

 

A private memorial gathering will take place at Wichmann Funeral Home.

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Pam’s name.

 

The family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff at Froedtert Hospital for their compassionate care of Pam.