Ervin Albert Bentlage

Ervin A. Bentlage passed away on August 29th after living a long and happy life of 85 years.

Visitation service will be held from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 904 Old Highway 63 South in Columbia on Saturday, September 2, 2017. Funeral service will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September, 2 at the church.

Ervin was the sixth of nine children born to Albert and Louise Stevener Bentlage and was the first child of the family to reach the age of 80. As a child growing up on the family farm in Rich Hill, Missouri, he learned the values of hard work and integrity, which he passed along to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandson. On the farm he also endured eating more than enough chicken for a lifetime, eschewing it as an adult for any other available meat alternative.

Always careful to study out any decision, Ervin rushed into one decision which changed his life forever. He fell head over heels for Glenda Pilkington when she came into the car dealership where he worked in Ogden, Utah, to buy a car. Fortunately for him, the car came with strings attached, causing Glenda to come back regularly and redeem free gas coupons which came along with the car. On her last visit, he asked her out and they were married three months later on December 18, 1959.

Ervin and Glenda quickly started a family as they welcomed their first son one year after their wedding and a second son less than a year after the first arrived. Ervin will forever be remembered for his remarkable patience raising five boisterous boys who each did their part to cause unending havoc in the house.

Ervin and his brother Troy started a successful real estate and farming business in Columbia in the 1960s. He may have been one of the hardest people in the world to give a gift to because all he ever wanted was “a few kind words and a little cooperation." He was a tireless servant of his family, always searching for ways to help them. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. His influence will be felt by many future generations.

He is survived by his sweet wife Glenda and four sons, Phil (Carolyn), Keith (Roya), Carl (Marci), Dale (Aimee), ten delightful grandchildren (with one more due in December), and one great grandchild.

Ervin was preceded in death by his eldest son, Wayne, as well as his parents and six sisters.

In lieu of flowers, memorial are suggested to Shiners Hospital or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, c/o Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 West, Columbia, MO 65202