Philip "Phil" Behnen

Philip K. “Phil” Behnen, age 75 of Sauk Centre, passed away after a short illness on Friday, September 11, 2026 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

*****Please note the date of the service*****

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 29 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Mark Botzet officiating. Inurnment will be held in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church.

Philip Karl Behnen was born February 28, 1951 (not a leap year he liked to say) in Melrose, Minnesota to Henry “Hank” and Leona (Kuhlmann) Behnen. He grew up in Greenwald and lived most of his life in Sauk Centre. He graduated from Melrose High School where he played football, and attended SCSU studying Biology, until he was recruited in 1971 by his brother, Toby, to work at Main Street Press, one of the few places doing in-house printing. He married Roxann “Rox” Kleinschmidt on May 16, 1981 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Phil had an unconditional love for Rox which brought great joy to him and his family.

Phil belonged to the Knights of Columbus, played in a softball league, bowling league, golfed in the Thursday Men’s League, and served on the Pheasants Forever Board. He loved to travel with Rox and they took many trips together, including several cruises. He loved living in “Sauk” and being an active part of the community with Rox. Phil absolutely loved playing cards and pulling tabs with his friends, Mark, Rich, and Dan. He was an avid sports fan of the Vikings, Gopher’s football and basketball, Banana Baseball, and the WNBA. Phil was a news junkie, sharing the latest news each morning with Donna who worked with him for 47 years, as they started the workday. Phil would have replayed the Vikings game of September 13 with Donna on Monday morning. He was quietly spiritual and loved doing special things with Rox each day for the 40 Days of Lent before Easter. Phil was a great kidder with quite a sense of humor.

Survivors include his sister, Annette Jesh of Maple Grove; sisters-in-law, Renee (Gary) Leinonen of Sauk Centre and Carol Kleinschmidt of Sauk Centre; brother-in-law, Robbie (Gloria) Kleinschmidt of Avon; nephews, Peter (Theresa) Jesh, Henry Behnen, Robert Behnen, Ryan (Abby) Kleinschmidt, and Jamie (Melissa) Kleinschmidt; nieces, Heidi (Max) Baumgartner, Alicia (Terry) Torok, Jami (Matt) Moore, Nancy (Teddy) Gaillas, Theresa Behenen, Christine (Chris) Behnen, Angela (Travis) Flannigan, and Kayla (Adam) Donabauer; and many great-nieces and great-nephews, other relatives and friends.

Phil was preceded in death by his wife, Roxann “Rox” Behnen on March 26, 2020; parents; brothers, Tobias “Toby” Behnen and Steve Behnen; brother-in-law, Harold Jesh; mother and father-in-law, Ollie and Trix Kleinschmidt; and brothers-in-law, Randy, Ronnie, and Rick Kleinschmidt.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to donor’s choice.

“To live in hearts you leave behind is not to die.” – Thomas Campbell