Gene L. Bentley, obituary portrait — Ludvigsen Mortuary

In Loving Memory

Gene L.Bentley

Date of Birth January 1, 1900
Passed Away On April 1, 2011
At Age 111 years
Resident of Fremont
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After a battle with cancer, Gene Bentley went home to be with the Lord on April 1, 2011. Gene was born in Blockton, IA on May 27, 1936, to George and Grace 'Jennings' Bentley. He grew up with a sister and four brothers, one of whom was his twin brother. He was married to Sharon Sue Waldeier of Bedford, Iowa in 1963. He received his B. A. from Westmar College in LeMars, IA. He went on to receive his Master's Degree from UNL, and a Specialist Degree from UNO. His interests were: sports, history, music, and developing people. After teaching and coaching for nine years in Iowa and the Omaha area, he became an Administrator in Millard, Indianola and Carroll, Iowa, and Fremont. After suffering a lengthy illness, he returned to education as a County Supervisor of Country Schools. Gene felt the Lord's leading to go into Christian Education, as he became the Administrator of Trinity Christian School in Omaha. His last position was as a Superintendent at Omaha Christian Academy.

A great love of Gene's was coaching. He coached winning teams on many levels: basketball, baseball and softball, for both boys and girls. In his later years, a great pleasure was attending his grandchildren's many sports and music activities. He even coached some of their teams, much to his enjoyment.

Left to cherish his memory, is his wife of 47 years, Sue of Fremont, and two children, Brian Bentley (and wife, Kelli) of Omaha, and Heidi Melcher of Waterloo, NE. Gene and Sue have five grandchildren: Jacob and Amanda Melcher and Brendan, Grace, and Claire Bentley. Gene has one sister, Mary Sheeks of Omaha, and four brothers: Duane Bentley of Clarinda, IA, Dean Bentley (and wife, Melba) of Council Bluffs, Kenneth Bentley (and wife, Judy) of Omaha, and Terry Bentley (and wife, Rebecca) of Riverton, Wyoming. In addition, Gene has a brother and sister-in-law, Eddie and Peggy Long of Kansas City and several nieces and nephews. Gene had a multitude of friends and people whose lives he has touched.

Gene leaves a legacy of the thousands of lives he has touched through his years of interaction with teachers, parents and children.

Visitation for Gene will be Monday from 3pm to 8pm with the family receiving friends from 6pm to 8pm at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel in Fremont.

The funeral will be 10:30am, Tuesday April 5, at Westside Church in Omaha (15050 West Dodge Road). Graveside services will be 3:30pm at Ridge Cemetery in Fremont.


Memorials are suggested to the Scholarship Funds for Trinity Christian School & Omaha Christian Academy.
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Services

Visitation

Ludvigsen Mortuary - Fremont

1249 E. 23rd St.

Fremont, NE, 68025

Funeral Service

Westside Church

Graveside Service

Ridge Cemetery

1761 W. Linden

Fremont, NE, 68025

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Condolences (24)

D
Dan Dreessen Glidden, Ia April 6, 2011
"I was lucky enough to have Gene as a princapal at carroll grade school, he was someone I looked up to. I was in Brains class and we played most sports together . .take care Brian and the rest of your family"
D
Dr. Sam Barfell Loves Park, IL April 6, 2011
"I know Gene best as a leader in Christian schooling. It is such an honor to know Gene and his ministry in Christian education at Trinity Christian School, and Omaha Christian Academy! I remember Gene sharing with his Christian school colleagues about the things he learned over the years as an educator. It reflections were insightful, wise, humorous, pithy, and relevant. But beyond all that, Gene was a reflection of Christ's love to the children he taught, and the schools he led."
K
Kay Chambers Carroll, Ia April 6, 2011
"Mr. Bentley was my first principal when I came to Carroll to teach. Gene was a caring administrator who demonstrated true professionalism with his colleagues and students. By his example, he taught us to do our best each day and to make a difference for our students. His dedication to education will leave a long lasting influence through all the lives he touched along the way. I extend my sympathy to all his family. Kay Chambers"
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