John Bentz

John George Bentz passed away peacefully Jan. 11 at his home in Mountain Home, Idaho.

He was born May 7, 1928 in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. He was the oldest son of John Bentz, Sr. and Rosa Jones Bentz. His father, at 14 and of German heritage, immigrated to the U.S. from Russia and thru hard work established a family farm near Nisland, South Dakota.

John George attended country schools, graduated from Nisland High School and attended two years of college at South Dakota State. He returned to the family farm and spent all his working years farming.

In 1951, he married Laurice Robbins from Newell, a nearby town. They were blessed with two sons and two daughters. They farmed in South Dakota for 16 years and then in Quincy, Washington for nine years.

In 1977, the Bentz’s and a neighbor with his family moved to the Mountain Home area and developed desert ground for irrigated farming.

John was very passionate about farming which began at an early age. He was driving a team of horses at the age of 12 to do farm work.

Ill health forced him to retire 15 years ago.

The remainder of his life, he put his efforts and knowledge into his gardens. His love of growing things and perfectionism was evident in his large yard. A perennial garden and rose garden enhanced their corner lot.

He was fiercely loyal to his community and country and could be quite opinionated. John was unfailingly generous and caring to his family, friends and church and was known for being scrupulously honest.

John is survived by his wife Laurice, son John (Linda), daughters Janeen Jenkins and Jill Boesiger (Tom Wheeler), two sisters Audrey Friedel and Naida Kiery, brother-in-law Harley Robbins, grandchildren Nathan Jenkins, David (Tammy) Jenkins, Patrice Jenkins (Tom Cotnoir), Chantal Grant and Jason Torgerson, great grandchildren Jordan, Ariel, Dylan and Iris, and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

Deceased are his parents, son Jack, grandson Simon, brother Laurence, sister Faye and three brothers-in-law Bill, Jim and Norman.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Jan. 16 11 a.m. at Rost Funeral Home 500 No. 18 East Mountain Home.

Donations may be made in John’s name to the Idaho Food Bank at Grace Lutheran Church located at 2422 American Legion Blvd. Mountain Home, Idaho 83647 or a charity of your choice.