Arnold Bentz

Arnold “Arnie” Bentz, age 85 of Truman passed away Wednesday May 25, 2022 at Mayo Hospital in Rochester with his loving family by his side. Funeral services will be held Wednesday June 1, 11am at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Truman with Rev. Timothy A. Chase officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday May 31 from 4-6pm at Zaharia Funeral Home and continue one hour before the service at the church. Burial will be at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Truman.

Arnie was born on October 13, 1936 to Arthur and Irma (Meier) Bentz on the farm in Galena Township. Six months later he moved with his family to the farm site west of Truman.  Arnie attended St. Paul’s Lutheran school in Truman and then went to school for 2 years at Dr. Martin Luther High School in New Ulm. He finished high school in Truman, graduating in the class of 1954.  He attended the University of MN Agricultural School and after graduation came back to farm with his dad and brother. Arnie married Donna Boesch on September 16, 1961 and they were blessed with over 60 years of marriage.  

His faith was very important to Arnie. He was very active in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and over the years he served as church president, treasurer and sang in the choir.  He was also a strong advocate for Christian education and supported the school and Martin Luther High School.

Arnie believed in serving his community. He was a member of the Truman Farmer’s Elevator Coop Board and served as president. Arnie was also president of the Lutheran Retirement Home and was active in other boards, both local and statewide. Arnie always had a board meeting to go to, but he enjoyed the interaction with others and helping make organizations and their people better.

Arnie’s greatest love was his family. His belief and commitment to building a strong family was something he worked hard at all his life. He enjoyed gathering his children and grandchildren together for activities and truly treasured the times when everyone was together, laughing and playing. Retirement and grandchildren brought out his unique sense of humor. He was known for lawn mower races around the yard, the treehouse, and the secret place under the stairs where ghost stories were told.  After moving south of town, the old barn that he repaired and painted became a local landmark.  The addition of the horse in the barn and a unique rest stop brought him and others many smiles.

Arnie will be missed by his wife Donna, his children Lori (Dale) Stevermer, David (Tammy) Bentz, Darci Bentz (Bill Grogin), Scott (Michele) Bentz, his grandchildren Brett (Tressa), Adam and Beth Stevermer; Dustin (Alanna) and Ryan (Ashley) Healey, Kylee and Jayden Bentz; Kate and Samuel Grogin; Nathan and Nicholas Bentz and great grandchildren Wyatt, Qwynn and Adalyn; his siblings Roger (Ann) Bentz, Allen (Elaine) Bentz and Betty (Roger) Christensen; his sisters and brothers in laws LaMae (Bill) Prigge and Woody (Peg) Boesch as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family.