Evelyn Jeane Behnamann Wood

Tributes~Evelyn Jeane Behnamann Wood

Evelyn Jeane Behnamann Wood
Download PDF

Photo: 
Date of Birth: 
December 19 1928
Date of Death: 
May 17 1987

Evelyn Jeane Behnamann Wood was born in Rock Island, Illinois, on December 19, 1928. Her parents were Harry Edwin Behnamann (born 17 March 1892) and Grace Marie Reicherter (born 29 August 1897). She had one sibling, Dorothy Marie Behnamann Youngberg, who was six years older.

Growing up during the Depression, Evelyn told stories of sharing clothing with her sister, who was 5 foot 2 to Evelyn's 5 foot 7. Her father Harry Behnamann had been a coach at Rock Island High School, Rock Island, Illinois, but started a new career as an insurance salesman.

Evelyn attended and graduated from Rock Island High School in Rock Island, Illinois, in 1947. She graduated from Augustana College, Davenport, Iowa, in 1951, with a double BA degree in Music and French. She was the child of two teachers. Both her father Harry and her mother Grace had taught and met at Nebraska State University as instructors. Evelyn's daughter Christine Wood Woods and granddaughter Lorilyn Woods became teachers, as well.

In Davenport, Iowa, Evelyn began her teaching career as an elementary music teacher. Evelyn met her husband Rodger Benton Wood in 1952, while attending the University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois, to pursue her Masters degree during the summer. Rodger was stationed at the Chanute Air Force Base in Champaign, and they met in church. Evelyn said that Rodger was very handsome. They began dating. Rodger visited her at her parents' home in Rock Island where she was living.

After a year of dating and a year of engagement, Evelyn and Rodger married on December 21, 1953 in Rock Island, Illinois. They moved to Lansing, Michigan, where Rodger attended Michigan State University as an Engineering student on the GI bill. Their first child daughter Christine was born while they were living in student housing.

After Rodger's graduation in 1957, the small family moved to Pontiac, Michigan, where Rodger had received a job at General Motors, Truck and Coach division. Their second child Randall Rodger (Randy) was born in 1958. Evelyn was a full time mother for a couple years and then became a full-time piano teacher. She would give birth to two more children, Jennifer Jeane in 1963 and Kenneth Glenn in 1966.

Evelyn was a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Pontiac, Michigan, for 30 years and served in many capacities. She was an active member of the local singing group, the Tuesday Musicale. Rodger and she enjoyed bridge and square dancing.

Evelyn would continue to teach piano for 28 years until her death May 17, 1987 at the young age of 59.

Evelyn left behind her husband Rodger Benton Wood, daughters Christine Wood (Woods) and Jennifer Wood, sons Randall (Randy) Wood and Kenneth Wood (aka Xavier DuBois), and grandchildren Lorilyn Marie Woods and Evan Reid Wood.

Place of Birth: 
Rock Island, Illinois, United States
Place of Death: 
Waterford, Michigan, United States
Primary State of Residence: 
Waterford, Michigan, United States

Add new comment