Harold Behling, 87, of Caledonia, Illinois, passed away on Feb. 10, 2024.

Harold's life began and ended on the Behling Farm at the corner of Olson and Orth roads. Born into a farming family on Dec. 20, 1936, he'd eventually build a home just steps from the farmhouse he grew up in to continue the business that is a centennial farm today.

His life's work was spent inside the cab of a combine, on the seat of a tractor, operating the skid steer, calving cows in late spring, picking corn in the fall, plowing snow, fixing a piece of machinery flat on his back on the shop floor, and just about anywhere else on the farm where something needed to be done. His average day started at 4 a.m. (sometimes earlier) and ended at 10 p.m. (later if he could sneak out to squeeze in just a few more farm chores).

There was a time in young adulthood when he had a milk route for a local milk producer, and later he'd sell seed for Pride Seeds, but the majority of his years were spent milking cows — a tedious task. But nothing Harold couldn't handle — he wasn't a complainer, he was a doer. Harold gave new meaning to the "back-breaking" work of farming: A few years ago, he fell off a ladder in the morning, but still jumped in the combine for the rest of the day. It wasn't until a visit to immediate care later that night that it was discovered that he had, in fact, broken his back. He still put in a full day of work, because that's what farmers do, and he was right back at it in a back brace in no time.

Even with the long farming days he clocked over his entire career, Harold was also a devoted family man and showed his love not in words, but in actions, knowing looks and quality time spent. He shared his life with Ruth Ann Behling, whom he married on Aug. 23, 1969 after five months of dating. The two shared almost 53 years together and raised three boys: Dean, Jim and Ron. Eventually the Behling family grew and he gained daughter-in-laws, Denise, Kathy, Andrea, and then five grandkids, followed by seven great-grandkids.

He always had time for his family — attending sports games, playing catch in the yard, teaching his sons how to ride a bike, waiting for the bus with his grandkids, whatever it may be. He also had time for a bowling league he loved, and he was a dedicated Boone County 4-H leader for 50 years for the Beaver Valley Clippers Club.

His time spent with family did not hinder his incredible dedication to tending about 200 acres (600 cumulative including rented and contract acres) of land. But no matter if he was on or off the farm, he very often had a smile on his face. A calm and patient man, Harold had a certain effect on people. His work ethic made you want to work hard, too. And if you got a "That'll do" from Harold when you did something worth celebrating, you know he was giving his highest praise for a job well done.

He'll also be remembered for his kind heart and easygoing nature — traits he shared with Ruth Ann, who affectionately called her husband "Mr. B." He became a second father to his daughter-in-laws, and sons Jim and Ron have created homes of their own on the same stretch of Orth Road.

Harold milked cows for 50 years until he "retired" in 1995, but anyone who knew Harold understood that retirement didn't mean he was done farming. The farm — which over the years had sheep, pigs and chickens, too — converted from dairy to beef, and Harold kept on farming. Not being a milking operation did allow him to finally take a few vacations to places like Alaska, Hawaii and the Grand Canyon.

But he farmed for another 28 years after "retirement." Farming for him was like second nature. He always told his kids that he wanted to farm until he couldn't farm anymore.

It broke his heart when the ailments of old age stopped him from doing what he's loved his entire life as a farmer. There came a time when he couldn't jump up into the combine any longer. But in an act of pure love, his sons Jim and Ron took their father out into the combine for one last ride earlier this year. They say he always seemed to somehow have the energy of a 25-year-old farmer when he was in the cab of a combine. He picked two fields of corn that day on the only land he'd ever known.

He farmed to the very last year of his long, full life.

That'll do, Harold.

Harold is survived by his children and their spouses, Dean (Andrea) Behling, Jim (Denise) Behling and Ron (Kathy) Behling; his grandchildren and their spouses, Samantha (Ken) Abbott, Ashley (Mike) Oursler, Alicia (Justin) Thompson, Trenton Behling and Landon Behling; his great-grandchildren, Aric, Maddy, John, Maverick, Aria, Amelia and Maise Paige; and numerous nieces and nephews. Harold is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Freida Behling, his brother, Clifford, and his wife, Ruth Ann.

Visitation will take place 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16 at Anderson Funeral Home (218 W. Hurlbut Ave., Belvidere, Illinois). The following day, on Saturday, Feb. 17, a viewing will occur from 10-11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, ahead of a service (11 a.m.), followed by interment at Highland Garden of Memories and a lunch back at the church.

In lieu of flowers, Harold's family wishes to encourage donations to the Boone County 4-H Foundation or Immanuel Lutheran Church Youth Activities (Belvidere, IL)