Bente, Mary (Scheer)

BENTE, SCHEER, NEHSER, BUISMAN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 6/26/2018 at 12:20:34

Clayton County Register, Thur., 10 Dec. 1959.

Mrs. George Bente, nee Mary Scheer, died at the home of her son, Elmer Bente, in Elkader Saturday evening, Dec. 5, at the age of 80 years, four months and 13 days. She had been in failing health for several months but had been confined to her bed only two days.

Mary Scheer, the daughter of Fred and Lena Nehser, was born July 22, 1879, on a farm near Littleport. She received her education in the country school near her home.

September 29, 1897, she was married to George Bente. Two children were born to this union, a son Elmer and a daughter; Eunice, who died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Bente were successful farmers in this community. In 1944 they moved to Elkader. They were privileged to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary in 1947. During the past year Mrs. Bente has made her home with her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Bente.

She was a member of Peace Evangelical and Reformed Church and was active in both the Guild and the church. She became a member of the Women's Guild in 1907, the first year after its organization. She served as president in the year 1916-17. She was one of the five members of the building committee when the present church was built.

She was a member of the R.N.A. for 50 years, a member of Charity Chapter of the O.E.S., the Service Star, the East Side Cemetery Association, and at the time of her death was president of the Communia Cemetery Association.

Mrs. Bente is survived by her son Elmer and one granddaughter, Mary Trese, Mrs. Wm. R. Buisman, both of Elkader; nephews, nieces, other relatives and a host of friends. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, a daughter, Eunice, a brother, George, and a sister, Lena, Mrs. Frank Bente.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 8, at Peace Church in Elkader at 2:00 p.m., with the Rev. Paul Kitterer officiating. Burial was at the East Side cemetery.

Pallbearers were Arno Funk, Ed Leonard, Fred Eggimann, Arthur J. Meyer, Julius Pahlas and Lloyd Oelke.

Among the relatives and friends from out of town who attended the funeral services were: Mrs. Ida Bente and son Irving, Mrs. Hilda Pfaltzgraph and son James, all of Dumont; Mr. and Mrs. Art Jensen, Osage; Mrs. Anna Meese, Mrs. Earl Pust and Mrs. Clarence Kuehl, Littleport; Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Bente, Postville; Mrs. Lorenze Wilke, Mrs. Kenneth Wilke and son, Fayette; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Oelke, Garnavillo; Lester Oelke, Farmersburg; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wilke, Monona; and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Lundt, Elkport.