Robert Theodore Bentz, Jr.

Robert Theodore was born on August 26, 1929, to Robert and Esther (Holmquist) Bentz, Sr., in Devils Lake, North Dakota. He attended District #33 Country School in Todd County, Minnesota for three years until his family moved to Browerville where Robert finished elementary school. In 1942, the family moved to Los Angeles, California where they lived for three years. They returned to Browerville where Robert graduated from high school in 1946. Robert worked at the Red Owl Grocery Store in Browerville for a year and then worked in St. Paul and Minneapolis for a few years prior to attending Gale Institute for railroading where he learned telegraphy. After a short time with the New York Central Railroad in Ohio, Robert entered the U.S. Army where he served from 1951 to 1953. Following his honorable discharge, Robert attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis and graduated in 1955. He joined IBM where he worked for 32 years until his early retirement in 1987.

Robert was united in marriage to Oreta Reinboldt in 1956 in Cottonwood. They lived in Minneapolis, Champlin, Brooklyn Park and moved to Alexandria in 1989, following his retirement. Robert was a member of the Kiwanis Golden K of Alexandria for more than 23 years. As long as he was able, Robert enjoyed volunteering – especially at the Kiwanis Pancake Feeds and the 10 years at the Knute Nelson ice cream shop. He also taught “55 Alive” driving safety classes for 13 years. Robert enjoyed reading, fishing, camping, traveling, wood carving, telling stories and jokes, playing cards with friends, and watching old westerns.

Robert accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior around 1949, and was baptized in 1975. He was an active member of Redeemer Covenant Church in Brooklyn Park and Alexandria Covenant Church, holding many volunteer leadership positions at each.

Preceding him in death are his parents, and sisters, Marlys Hall and Dorothy Sadlo.

Surviving Bob is his wife of 66 years, Oreta “Reta” of Alexandria; children, Alan (MaryAnn) Bentz of Rochester, New York, David (Darlene) Bentz of Sobieski, Wisconsin, and Suzanne (Tim) Almen of Brooklyn Park; grandchildren, Stephanie (Rich) Robinson, Daniel Bentz, Nicole Bentz, and Victoria (Sean) Daniels; great-grandson,Wesley Daniels; sisters, Betty Bergesch of Simi Valley, California, and Iris Williams of Stacy; brother, Gerald (Sondra) Bentz of Rochester; and nieces and nephews.

Robert T. Bentz, Jr., of Alexandria, died on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Alex Assisted Living at the age of 93 years, 6 months, 6 days.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Alexandria Covenant Church with Rev. Trinity Opp presiding. Music will be provided by Richard Erickson. Full military honors will be accorded by the Minnesota Honor Guard, American Legion Post #87, Veteran of Foreign Wars Post #936, Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter #235, and the Marine Corps League Detachment #1409. Interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery, Browerville.

Visitation is 4-6 p.m., Wednesday, March 15^th at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials are preferred.