Darlene Bentz

Darlene Bentz, 86, of Apple Valley, Minnesota, (formerly of Bismarck, North Dakota) passed away peacefully on May 29, 2025, surrounded by family at her home. She was born on October 7, 1938, in Halstad, Minnesota, to Roy and Hazel (Ulland) Gordon. She grew up on the family farm outside Buxton, North Dakota, in the Red River Valley and graduated from Climax High School. In her childhood years, she loved to sing, play piano, and was active in 4-H.

She attended North Dakota Agricultural College (NDSU) and received a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. Her diverse career included roles as a home economist at a local utility company, working at Bismarck State College bookstore, and later contributing to the National Sunflower Association. She enjoyed making a warm, peaceful and put-together home. She loved sharing her gifts of quilting and sewing, cooking and baking, planting and arranging flowers, and decorating, and always beautifully wrapped the most thoughtful gifts.

She and her husband of 65 years, Duane, met as students at college. They raised their family and were part of the community of Bismarck for 60 years, before moving to Minnesota in 2000. She was kind and generous, gentle and witty, an avid reader and crossword puzzler, and loved to laugh, listen to music and attend concerts. She was always proper and well turned out, and loved to shop and lunch with friends. She cherished her friendships and carefully nurtured them throughout decades. She was an example of grace and mentored many young women throughout her life.

Darlene was a woman of God and deeply involved in her church, serving in many leadership roles and as a longtime Bible study leader. She and Duane were dedicated to their community and partners in their support of causes, notably as charter members of Charity Lutheran Church in Bismarck and long-time supporters and committee members of Bismarck-Mandan Young Life, community projects with the Bismarck Optimist Club, and other civic organizations.

Family was core to Darlene and she always sent special notes, packages, and cartoons, and most importantly, upheld them in prayer. She is survived by her beloved husband Duane, her children Joel Bentz and daughter-in-law Rita Lambros (Huntington Beach, California), Suzanne Mason and Janell Bentz (both of Apple Valley, Minnesota). She was a cherished grandmother to Nicholas Bentz (Reno, Nevada), Matthew Bentz (Las Vegas, Nevada), Mattie Mason (Wilmington, Delaware) and Grace Mason (Orlando, Florida). Darlene is also survived by her brothers Dennis (Peg) Gordon and Gary Gordon, and nieces Kim Gordon and Tracy (David) Holland.

Memorials can be made to Bismarck-Mandan Young LIfe.

A celebration of Darlene's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 14 at Charity Lutheran Church, 120 Aspen Avenue, Bismarck.

Visitation will be held 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 13 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck.

Interment will be held 10 a.m. Monday, June 16 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.