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Jerome ‘Jerry’ Bentz

Jerome ‘Jerry’ Bentz

NEW ULM — In His infinite wisdom, the Lord has called to heaven the soul of Jerome “Jerry” R. Bentz of New Ulm.

Jerome was born on December 14, 1935 in Hennepin County, Minnesota. Jerome was adopted by John and Olga Bentz in 1939, and lived with his parents on a farm in Moltke Township, Gibbon, Minnesota. Jerome received his elementary education at St. Peter’s Lutheran School in Moltke Township and his high school diploma from Dr. Martin Luther College High School in New Ulm. After attending one year of college at Dr. Martin Luther College, Jerome enlisted in the US Army in 1955. Jerome served in military intelligence in Germany from 1955 to 1957. After returning to work the family farm, Jerry married LaVonne E. Becker at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Moltke Township on June 27, 1959. Jerry and LaVonne moved to New Ulm on July 6, 1973. After working at Bordens, Jerry completed an accounting degree in 1979 and worked for Biebl Ranweiler Accounting until 1981 when he was appointed as the Treasurer of Brown County. He served in that capacity and later as the Chief Administrative Officer for Brown County until his retirement in 1997. Jerry also served a total of 31 years in the US Army, Minnesota National Guard, and the Army Reserve. In response to Christ’s love for him, Jerry served on numerous committees and boards at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Moltke Township, and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, New Ulm, Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School, and in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. In addition, Jerry served on a variety of councils, boards, commissions, and organizations, both locally and statewide, throughout his working and retirement years.

Jerry is survived by his wife, LaVonne, and three children: Tim (Amy) Bentz of Appleton, WI, Martin (Beverly) Bentz of Belle Plaine, and Ron Bentz of New Ulm. Jerry had a blast being a grandpa to Caleb (Becky) Bentz, Erin (Brian) Lorrigan, Taylor (Chelsea) Bentz, Daniel Bentz, and Katie (Joel) Wolfrath. Jerry also was blessed to see nine great-grandchildren.

Jerome’s priorities in life were God, family, and country. In and by God’s amazing grace Jerry used his talents and abilities to serve our gracious Lord as a redeemed child of God.

Funeral service will be 3 p.m. Saturday, November 13, 2021 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm. Pastor Timothy Smith will officiate. Burial will follow in the New Ulm City Cemetery, Soldier’s Rest section. The New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard will provide full military honors.

Livestreaming of the funeral service will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday, November 13, 2021 on Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes Facebook page.

Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Friday, November 12, 2021 at Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes – NORTH CHAPEL in New Ulm. Visitation will continue from 2-3 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm.

To leave an online condolence for the family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit: www.mvfh.org.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Paul’s Lutheran School Building Fund, MVL, or MLC.

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