Dr. Donald E. Bentley

Dr. Donald E. Bentley was born on June 21, 1920, in Twin Valley, MN, to Helmer and Oline Waller Bentley. Don was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley. He was the youngest of four children and received his education in the Twin Valley school system.Don graduated from high school in 1938 and then went on to Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, graduating in 1942 with a triple major in Economics, History and Business. In the fall of 1942, Don was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was assigned to the Medical Administrative Corps and later assigned to the headquarters section, Middle Pacific Area. He was an administrative assistant to the Chief Dental Surgeon.In 1946, Don was discharged from the army and worked for Lutheran Brotherhood and Kraft Foods. He married Dorothy Hoyne of McIntosh, MN, in June 1948. In 1949, Don enrolled in the University of North Dakota to complete science classes to qualify him for application to the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Don graduated from the U of M with a DDS degree in 1954. Later that year, the Bentley family moved to Hawley, MN, where Don set up his dental practice. In 1977, son Geoff joined his father in the dental practice where he continues today.Don was a member of Hawley City Council for ten years and served as mayor in the early 70's. He was on the board of the First National Bank, McIntosh, for over 30 years.Don held several positions in the Minnesota Dental Association and the American Dental Association. He reached his ultimate goal in 1982 when he was elected President of the American Dental Association.Don received the Outstanding Alumni Award from Concordia College in 1980. He spent three years as the first Concordia alumnus to serve as National Chairman of the C400 Club. Don was president of the Century Club of the University of MN Dental School. He received the Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award from the University of MN Board of Regents in 1985.Don was an active member of the Republican Party and was a delegate to many of the county, district and state conventions. He served as Governor Harold LeVander's appointed spokeman for dentistry on the Comprehensive Health Planning Council for the state of Minnesota.Don and Dorothy wintered on Marco Island, Florida. They were associate members of Marco Lutheran Church.Singing was a life long passion for Don. He was a soloist and a member of choirs and quartets for over 70 years.One of Don's greatest joys was spending time with his family. He enjoyed being at their lake home on Little Pine Lake near Perham. Don loved to troll around in the boat for hours fishing for walleyes. Grandpa Don cherished the special times with his grandchildren. He was so proud of all of them and always took time to listen to and talk with them.Besides his wife of 57 years, Dorothy; Don is survived by one son, Dr. Geoffrey Pamela, Hawley, MN; three daughters, Linda Rev. David Rossow, Byron, MN, Judith Rev. Burton Parry, York, PA, and Paula Richard Ness, Apple Valley, MN; 12 grandchildren: Erik fiancee Ingrid, Sarah, and Reid Bentley; Jennifer, Hope, and Adam Rossow; Megan, Gavin, and Brittany Romer; Emily, Rachel and Mitchell Ness.Don was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and a brother.The family wishes memorials be given to Hawley Lutheran Church, Concordia College, Hospice of the Red River Valley and the National Parkinson's Foundation.