- Date Of Birth: September 22, 1925
- Date Of Death: September 12, 2020
- State: Idaho
Elwyn “Yogi” Behrens, 94 of Wendell, Idaho died Saturday, September 12, 2020 at St. Luke’s Magic Valley Hospital.
Elwyn was born on September 22, 1925 in Linn Township, Wisconsin, the son of Eleanor Nichols and Ralph Behrens. Elwyn grew up on the family farm near Zenda, Wisconsin and went to school in Hebron, Illinois. Elwyn played basketball at Hebron with a population of 96 students. Elwyn was recruited to play at Western Colorado University in Gunnison, Colorado. He was nicknamed Yogi and was known as such for the remainder of his life. Yogi transferred to Idaho State University after his freshman year, following his coach to Pocatello, Idaho. Yogi was a three-time letterman at ISU and met Margaret Ann Beem while he was there.
Yogi and Margaret Ann were married on June 14, 1951 in Dubuque, Iowa. Yogi then joined the Air Force on July 20, 1951 and was stationed in Hunter, Georgia. Yogi was deployed to Japan during the Korean war where he was a fireman on the base and eventually a physical conditioning specialist.
Yogi taught P.E.
In 1962 Yogi and his family moved to Wendell, Idaho where he taught and coached. Yogi taught hundreds of students P.E., Earth Science, Math, and Driver’s Ed. In his time from 1962-63 until 1982-83 Yogi coached many sports and guided multiple state champion teams. In 1976 serving as Athletic director, Yogi designed and built a state-of-the-art athletic facility and gym. The gym was used for district tournaments for decades. Yogi retired from Wendell in 1995.
Yogi is survived by two sons, Stacey Del Behrens and Terry Elwyn Behrens both of Twin Falls, one daughter, Vicky Lynn Jackson of Meridian. Seven grandchildren, Jennifer Rene Jackson-Kim, Kimra Lynn Rich, Derek Kole Jackson, Tyler Kent Jackson, Tiffany Dawn Arizmendi, Rebecca Ann Behrens and Katelyn Marie Behrens, and nine great grandchildren, Kiya Lee Jackson, Keira Rose Jackson, Maxwell Jackson Rich, Declan Jarvis Rich, Isaac Isaih Arizmendi, Janice Adelina Arizmendi, Esmeralda Elizabeth Arizmendi, Estrella Violeta Arizmendi and Eliazar DeJesus Arizmendi.
Yogi was preceded in death by his wife Margaret Ann Behrens, his parents, Eleanor Nichols and Ralph Behrens, brothers, Eugene Behrens, Richard Behrens, Harry Behrens, sister, Harriet Hyatt.
