Mary Dolores Behnke

Mary Behnke passed away peacefully on May 21, 2026, at the age of 84.

Born on April 21, 1942, Mary was the daughter of James and Mary Reach and grew up in Monterey Park, California. In 1968, she moved to Encinitas, California, where she raised her family, before settling in Kamiah, Idaho, in 1994.

Mary leaves behind a family who loved her deeply and will forever cherish her memory: her devoted husband, Wayne Behnke; her brother, Jim Reach; her three sons, Nick Behnke, Greg Cooper, and Jeff Cooper; her five grandchildren, Ledger Behnke, Taylor Cooper, Ashley Sternberg, Alvaro Cooper, and Isabel Cooper; and her great-grandchild, Theia Sternberg.

For more than 60 years, Mary poured her heart into her work as a beautician. As the owner of her own shop, she did far more than style hair-she helped people feel special, confident, and cared for. That was Mary's gift: she made others feel beautiful, both inside and out.

Mary found joy in the simple, meaningful things that made life beautiful. She loved her church, making crafts, sewing quilts, tending to her flowers and garden, cooking meals that brought the family together, and caring for the dogs and animals on the farm. She will always be remembered for the love she put into everything she made, especially her yearly jams, including her famous jalapeño jam and zucchini relish. These were the kinds of things that reflected her nurturing spirit and the way she made every place-and every person-feel at home.

Mary was a truly kind and gentle soul who touched the lives of so many. She put others before herself without hesitation and cared for those around her with warmth, compassion, and quiet strength. To know her was to feel loved.

Her family finds comfort in knowing that she is now in a better place, reunited in Heaven with God, her parents, and her grandparents, surrounded once again by those who loved her dearly.

Her love lives on in each of us-in the lessons she taught, the values she passed down, and the memories we will hold close forever. Though she is no longer with us in body, her spirit, kindness, and love will continue to guide us each day. She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and never forgotten.

Services will be held on Monday, June 8, with visitation at 10:00 a.m., Rosary at 10:30 a.m., and Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow at St. Catherine's Catholic Church. Burial will take place at Kamiah Cemetery.