Gordon Henry Behrenwald, age 78, of Lakeview passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at his home, next to his front window that overlooked the farmland that meant so much to him. He was born in Lakeview, MI on November 10, 1946 to Arthur and Charlotte Behrenwald. His passion for farming started at an early age as he and his siblings worked alongside their parents on their family dairy and cash crop farm. During his high school years, Gordon participated in basketball, football, and track. He held the football record for 96 tackles in one season, receiving All State Honors. Another memorable moment was when his basketball team brought home the 1964 Class B State Runner-Up trophy. In 1965, Gordon graduated from Lakeview Community Schools, where he served as class president and FFA Chapter President; was selected State FFA Sentinel Officer; and earned the 1966 FFA American Farmer's Degree. Russ Johnson, his agricultural science teacher, had a profound impact on his education, leadership, and community involvement.

In 1965, he joined the Big Rapids National Guard. He proudly served his country for six years. On August 20,1966, Gordon married his high school sweetheart, Susan Ward. Together, they spent their 58 years of marriage raising a family of four, expanding their family business, and enjoying the rural life. With Gordon's father, Art, they started selling Fox equipment and later added a Hesston dealership, which, at one time, became the third largest one in Michigan. It was from Art that Gordon learned the value of tiling ground and cleaning drainage ditches; a legacy that will continue. Being a Michigan Centennial Farm was a point of pride for Gordon; he was also very proud of the other Centennial Farms in Cato Township and how they supported one another. The Behrenwald Centennial Farm will continue to prosper with the next generations at the helm.

While farming and providing for his family, Gordon served on many boards over the years: Montcalm County Soil Conservation, Cato Township, Property Tax Assessment Review, and for twenty years, he served on the Michigan Milk Resolutions Committee. Having worked 120 hives with his brother, beekeeping was an avocation that Gordon truly enjoyed, which also improved the pollination of their dry edible beans.

Gordon is survived by his loving wife Susan Behrenwald; their children and grandchildren, Julie (Ed) Ford of Greenville and children, Alexandra (Adam) Gudbrandson and Megan (Clay) Horn; Ronald (Christine) Behrenwald of Sand Lake and children, Anna and Lauren Behrenwald; Sarah (Mike) Johnson and children, Noah and Ava Johnson; David (Lisa) Behrenwald and children, Kalyn (Shea) Ingles and Kyler Behrenwald; one great-grandson, Evan Gudbrandson.

He is also survived by his siblings, Donald Behrenwald of Sparta and Judy (Ronald) Flachs of Hickory Corners; sister-in-laws, Deanna Ward of Six Lakes and RuthAnn Granfors of California; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Charlotte Behrenwald; in-laws, Fred and Helen Ward; brother, Henry Behrenwald, and his wife, Marlene (Carlson) Behrenwald; brother-in-law, Edward Ward; and sister-in-law, Mary (Roush) Behrenwald.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at the Hurst Funeral Home in Greenville, Michigan, with Richard Taylor officiating. Visitation services will occur on Tuesday, July, 1, 2025, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm and again on Wednesday from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm prior to the funeral. A luncheon will immediately follow the funeral in the Hurst Celebration Center, and burial in Lakeview Cemetery will follow the luncheon.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lakeview Area Museum with memo "Building Fund" (mailing address PO Box 216, Lakeview, MI 48850) or Hospice of Michigan with memo "Big Rapids Region" (mailing address Hospice of Michigan, 989 Spaulding SE, Ada, MI 49301). Memories of Gordon and messages of condolence for his family may be shared at www.hurstfh.com.