Harold Bentele

Harold Lester Bentele, age 92, of Fairmont, formerly of Truman, passed away on Wednesday,  December 30, 2020 at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Fairmont.  Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions and guidelines for gathering, the Funeral service will be Private and livestreamed on the funeral home website on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 10:30 AM. Private interment will follow in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in Truman. Zaharia Family Funeral Home in Truman is entrusted with arrangements. www.ZahariaFamilyFuneral.com

Harold Lester Bentele, the son of Frank and Sophie (Kutschara) Bentele was born on July 19, 1928 in Wesley, Iowa. He was baptized at St. Joseph Church in Wesley and confirmed on May 9, 1954 following his marriage. Harold attended country school in St. Benedict, Iowa and public school in both LuVerne and Swea City, Iowa. He graduated from high school in 1946. He also served in the National Guard and received an honorable discharge in 1949. Harold was united in marriage to Dolores Krumwiede on November 4, 1950 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fairmont. Following their marriage, they farmed in Iowa for two years, and during that time they were blessed with their first son, Terry. They then moved to Westford Township, Martin County, MN. They were then blessed with their second son, Steven and then their third son, Bruce. Harold and his family farmed near Truman for 29 years and retired from farming in 1979. Harold and Dolores moved into Truman after they retired from farming and Harold remained in his home in Truman until June, 2019 when he moved to an assisted-living facility in Fairmont. Harold was a farmer for many years, but in his younger years he also had his pilot’s license and his own Bentele Custom Crop spraying business. He enjoyed airplanes until the time of his passing. He worked for Opsal Filling station as a salesman and drove school bus in Swea City in the late 40’s. He also drove school bus for Truman Public Schools in the 60’s and 70’s and still sometimes spoke of the students he so enjoyed. Harold drove cement truck for Bosshart Construction Company in the 70’s and worked for John Deere in Truman in the late 90’s; as well as Fairmont Lawn and Sports for a short time. His longest career was as a mail carrier for the US Postal Service in Truman for 30 years. It seemed that everyone knew him as “their mailman”.
Harold is survived by his three sons, Terry (Rebecca) Bentele of Truman, Steven (Barb) Bentele of Sioux Falls, SD and Bruce (Jodi) Bentele of Round Lake; seven grandchildren, Robert Bentele of Minnetonka, John Bentele of San Tan Valley, AZ, Michael Bentele of Rochester, Nick (Sara) Bentele of Sioux Falls, SD, Noel (Blake) Sunne of Brandon, SD, Brad (Amanda Cross) Bentele of Columbus, NE and Brett Bentele of Brandon, SD; four great-grandchildren, Elliott Bentele, Bo Bentele, Elsie Sunne and Griffin Sunne; one step-great grandson, Jason Zacharias; sister-in-law, Doris Bentele of Hibbing; brother-in-law, Gary (Marilyn) Krumwiede of Madelia; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Dolores; one brother; two sisters; grandson Eric Bentele and two brothers-in-law.

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