Age 80, of Inver Grove Heights and Minnetonka, MN
Bruce passed peacefully at home, on December 5, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. Survived by Solveig (Overvold) Bentson, wife of 25 years; brother Charles A. Bentson (who died January 19, 2024); son Kelly, (Chrissy) Oachs (Kelly died suddenly on Dec. 14, 2023); stepdaughter Allison (Dean) Gabbert; three grandchildren (Ben & Max Gabbert and Emily Oachs) sisters and brothers-in-law: Helen Lindlauf, Phil (Vicki) Overvold, Ardis (Randall) Libak, Elizabeth (James) Berg; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Preceded in death by: mother, Bernice “Bea” (Wallien) Bentson, father Harold B. Bentson, brothers and sisters, Gerald (Carolyn) Bentson and Donny Bentson, Cozette Bentson and Barbara Bevey, brothers-in-law, Verdell E. Hage, Jerry R. Hage and David B. Overvold.
Bruce was born in Montevideo, MN, March 11, 1943, the youngest of six children. During high school, he and his mom moved to St Paul, MN, where he joined the Army National Guard and began his years of employment at: Great Northern Railroad; Burlington Northern Railroad; Ramsey Co. Sheriff’s Office; Ford Motor Company; and Department of Human Services at the State of MN from 1981 – 2006. Bruce and Solveig married in June 1998 and both retired in 2006. Bruce loved retirement. His favorite “fun-things-to-do” were: golfing, karaoke, golfing! He especially loved the winter get-away golf trips in AZ. Vacations to visit out-of-state family were also important. Bruce enjoyed making people laugh, singing at church and karaoke events, volunteering either at Neighbors, Inc, or at his church. When the grandkids arrived, life got even more fun. He introduced them all to karaoke. Bruce’s most recent passion was singing with a Seniors group called Alive & Kickin’ with weekly rehearsals, a big show for the public each June, and smaller performances during the year in various Minnesota communities. We miss you Bruce/Brucie/Gramps/Grandpa/Uncle/Friend.
A service celebrating the life of Bruce will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7600 Cahill Ave, Inver Grove Hts., MN and will be livestreamed at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/4865628410. Visitation one hour prior to the service at church.
Interment will be in August 2024 at North Prairie Cemetery in rural Velva, ND.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or Neighbors, Inc. in So. St. Paul, or Alive & Kickin’ or donor’s choice.