Karol Behne

Karol Dorris Behne, 70, of Burton, Texas passed away peacefully at home on September 11, 2026, surrounded by her loving family, her beloved animals, and the peaceful beauty of the property she cherished.

Born on July 6, 1956, in Baytown, Texas at San Jacinto Memorial Hospital, Karol grew up with a bright smile and an even brighter spirit. She graduated in 1974 from Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown and went on to earn a degree in Accounting from the University of Houston in 1978.

Her sharp attention to detail and strong work ethic carried her through a successful career. She held accounting positions with Pool Energy Services and at the Two Pesos Restaurant corporate offices, located in the famed Kirby Mansion in Houston. Later, she served as District Payroll Manager for Lamar Consolidated Independent School District (LCISD) in Rosenberg, Texas overseeing daily budget analysis for 4,800 employees serving 44,000 students. She retired in 2014 after over 21 years of dedicated service.

Karol shared 21 years of marriage with her husband, Henry Behne. Together they enjoyed camping, bowling, and traveling, but her greatest joy was building a life centered on faith, family, and friendship. No role brought her more happiness than being a mother and grandmother. She had a special gift for bringing people together, whether hosting at home, planning family get-togethers, or simply creating reasons for everyone to gather. Her home was always warm, welcoming, and filled with laughter.

A founding member of Faith United Methodist Church in Richmond, Texas, Karol’s faith was the foundation of her life. She loved singing in the church choir every Sunday and kept Christian music playing throughout her days. She found delight in life’s simple pleasures: soaking up the sun by the pool or on the boat, tending her garden, and caring for the home she and Henry had together.

She also had a fun, competitive side. She cherished her time with the “Bowling Babes” league and looked forward to her weekly yoga sessions with dear friends. Those friendships, filled with laughter and camaraderie, meant the world to her.

Karol was Henry’s biggest cheerleader during his many years of drag boat racing. She became deeply involved in the racing community herself, serving with the Racer Emergency Support Program (RESP), where she helped racers and their families in times of need. Serving others came naturally to her, she was always the first to offer a helping hand, a kind word, or quiet encouragement.

Karol will be remembered for her radiant smile, her heartfelt laugh, her deep love for her family, the pure joy she found in her grandchildren, her generous spirit, her unwavering faith, and her lifelong talent for making others feel at home in her presence. She made the world brighter simply by being in it.

Throughout her life, she was a fighter with a mother’s fierce love. In 1992, she gave birth to Austin in Houston after facing severe complications that led to an emergency delivery and a small duration on Life Support. To no surprise, her sheer determination and willpower brought her through. She later battled AND survived breast cancer in 2014, turning her experience into a powerful testimony that inspired and encouraged others while supporting cancer research.

Above all, Karol loved the Lord. Her faith was not quiet or private; it radiated through her kindness, her smile, her laughter, and the way she made everyone around her feel valued. Her family takes great comfort knowing she was ready to meet her Savior and is now home with Jesus.

She is survived by her husband, Henry Behne; her three children, Austin Henrichsen and his wife, Jessica, and their daughters, Kate and Beth; Caitlin Heuvelman and her husband, Cody, and their son, Otto; and Bobby Behne and his wife, Morgan; along with many other loving relatives and a wide circle of friends.

Karol was preceded in death by her parents, Hayes Hester Dorris Jr. (October 2011), Alice Sparks Dorris (August 2023), and her only sibling brother, Sparks Dorris (May 2019). One can only imagine the “Honeysuckle Drive” reunion being had.

A memorial service will be held at Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St. Brenham, TX 77833 on Saturday, September 26th at 2 PM.

A reception will follow the service at a future provided local address.

In a celebration of Karol’s life, floral arrangements of Blue Irises are warmly welcomed. For those who wish to make a memorial contribution in her honor, donations may be made to the Racers Emergency Support Program at racersesp.org.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 Condolences may be shared at www.brenhammemorialchapel.com.