of Harrison, AR
March 20, 1947 - December 30, 2021
On December 30, 2021, Leslie Behrle, age 74, of Harrison, passed away at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas, surrounded by her family. She was born March 20, 1947, in Somerville, New Jersey, the daughter of William and Helen Dennis. She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Jimmy Behrle.
Leslie graduated from Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. She attended college at Montreat College in Montreat, North Carolina, and Bloomfield College in Bloomfield, New Jersey, majoring in religious studies. Leslie met James in Biloxi, Mississippi while stationed there for the United States Air Force. They married on April 28, 1972. Leslie and James then moved to England where they were stationed for the next 5 years. In 1975, they welcomed son Stuart while there and returned to the states and started their lives in Harrison where they then welcomed twin daughters, Lisa and Jillian, in 1976.
Leslie was passionate about her faith and an active member of the First Lutheran Church in Harrison. She loved being surrounded by friends and family welcoming everyone into her home with open arms. Her children's friends and grandchildren always referred to her as Ma Behrle and Mema, and she loved it. She had a love of Broadway and classical music. Her grandchildren kept her young and smiling with kisses and hugs. She was a strong, caring, and giving person. She will be greatly missed.
Leslie is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, James "Jim" Behrle, of Harrison; her son, Stuart Behrle, and grandchildren Bailey and Kaydin; her daughters, Lisa Behrle, and grandchildren Finley and Bennett and Jillian Behrle and grandchild Tyler; and Suzy Lair, her English daughter, and grandchildren Alivia and Lucie. She is also survived by her sisters and brothers, Elaine, Pam, Michael, and David; her sisters-in-law, Patty, Pam, and Evie; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family and dear friends.
Memorial service is 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 19, 2022, at the First Lutheran Church, 515 S. Locust Street, Harrison, AR 72601.
We ask at this time that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Leslie Behrle Benefit Fund, c/o Cornerstone Bank, 1426 Highway 65 North, Harrison, AR 72601.
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11 Condolence(s)
Kendra Moore
Saturday, February 19, 2022
I am so sorry to hear of Leslie's passing. She was a wonderful lady .
Carl H Allen Jr
Sunday, January 9, 2022
I met Leslie in the winter of 1963 when our family started attending the Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church. We soon became friends. We both went to Ridge High School and were active at the Church. We sang in the High School Choir and went to the Youth Fellowship. Along with a group of our high school friends at the Church we were the very first bell choir at the Church. We were musically literate but had never played bells. Leslie went away to College for a year and then transferred to Bloomfield College the year I started as a first-year student. It was nice to have a familiar face as I ventured off into my college life. She left Bloomfield and took a job as the Director of Christen Education at an area church. I helped her chaperone a youth group retreat and we stayed in touch. I lost touch with her when she entered the Airforce. I heard about her from my friends in Liberty Corner, but did not reconnect until many years later, thanks to the Internet. While I have not seen her since she left for the Airforce, we stayed in touch several times by phone and email over the past 20 years. I did talk with her when her son died. Many of us have lost a dear and wonderful friend who we loved. My deepest condolences to Jim, her children and grandchildren and my friends, Elaine, Michal, David, and Pam. The description of the Behrle household in the obituary sounded like the Dennis household in Liberty Corner in the early sixties. The only explanation for her passing is that God needed her in Heaven. She had a deep and abiding faith. The world is a better place because she lived in it. I will miss her.
Beverly Reed
Sunday, January 9, 2022
Leslie, my dear cousin Leslie. Far too young to leave us, but Jesus welcomed her with open arms. She is out of pain, and happy beside our Lord. The Reed family will miss you. Too many fond memories to mention, but we will always keep her in our prayers.
God Bless,
Bev Reed and Family
William & Alicia Rust
Saturday, January 8, 2022
Dear Jim
Alicia & I want to tell you how sorry we are for your loss. Although we didn’t get to see each other that often, but when we did Leslie always made you feel like part of the family.
She truly will be missed by all, as our condolences go out to the entire Behrle family. Peace be with her now &peace be with you. 😢ðŸ™
Pam Scroggins
Friday, January 7, 2022
I dearly miss my sister. In spite of the differences of opinions we had quite often 😕, I no longer have a sounding board or someone to share the love of music, books, and movie trivia. I was blessed to have a big sister who protected me from thunderstorms when I was small and shared her experiences with me. I will love you always.
Judi Logan
Friday, January 7, 2022
My deepest sympathies to Leslie's beloved family. Les and I were longtime friends, meeting at Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church in 3rd grade. I have so many wonderful memories of our times together, especially the many sleep-overs at her home on Church Street, her mom teaching me much about baking and sewing. As was often the case in those days, elementary school friendships carried through into high school. Over the decades, we kept in touch hit-and-miss, with many many years of gaps. But when we did talk or - at our last class reunion- actually get to BE together, it was as if no time had passed at all. Always so truly sweet and kind and giving and faithful. Leslie will be deeply missed. Friends of the heart are friends forever. May all who loved her find joy in the memories. Until we meet again, Les!
Ginny Nelson
Friday, January 7, 2022
Words can't express really what Leslie meant to me as a dear friend and confidant for the past 30 or so years. I will always see her smiling face, think "I need to call Les", her open home and welcoming love, her love for music, the arts, and all that is good. But most especially her dedication to her Lord, her family and First Lutheran church, where she served tirelessly. I wish I could count the hours that I spent in the Behrle home for just a visit, or the many special events hosted by the best hostess I've ever known. I'm thankful for her faith and the presence that will continue to be a part of my life.
I love you all and will continue to pray for God's peace and mercy. I KNOW Leslie is with her Lord, and most assuredly rejoicing.
Martha Scarano Dolfi
Friday, January 7, 2022
My LIFELONG BEST FRIEND, Leslie, is in Heaven with Our Lord. Leslie has been my friend for over 60 years. So many childhood memories are shared with her. I was honored that she served as my Maid Of Honor, 52 years ago! We kept in touch throughout our years apart... reunited in Arkansas and Our High School Reunion. I LOVE LESLIE...SHE WILL FOREVER BE MY VERY BEST FRIEND.
Martha
Darlene Hearing Kirkpatrick
Friday, January 7, 2022
Jim, Stuart, Lisa and Jill, I am so sorry for your loss, she was a wonderful woman.
I had the privilege of knowing Leslie practically from my birth. I always adored her spunk and upbeat personality. She was always a straight forward mother figure. She will be missed. My condolences.
Benjamin and Kimberly Sundeen
Friday, January 7, 2022
We are so very sorry and sad for the loss of Aunt Leslie. She was an AMAZING person and has so many amazing people surrounding her. We love you all, and you will be greatly missed, Aunt Leslie.
Diane Ditmanson
Friday, January 7, 2022
Leslie was a dear friend that taught me so many things. I will never set a table without thinking of her or cook a special meal without wondering what Leslie would do. We will miss her so much and feel so grateful to have had her in our lives for over 39 years.