LaNelle Bentz

LaNelle Bentz, 100, of Winterset, passed away Wednesday February 18, 2026 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, Winterset Chapel, where family will be present to receive friends from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Burial will follow in the Winterset Cemetery.

LaNelle was born December 23, 1925, in Milo, Iowa. She was the 3rd child of four children born to John L. and Bessie (Chase) Michener. She attended Milo Grade School, North Center Country School and graduated from Milo High School in 1943. She attended Iowa Lutheran School of Nursing in Des Moines, was a member of the Cadet Nurses Corp, and graduated in 1946. LaNelle became assistant supervisor of nurses in the operating room at Lutheran Hospital. In 1949, she moved to Winterset and became the operating room supervisor at the Madison County Hospital for 25 years.

LaNelle was united in marriage to Chester R. Bentz, August 10, 1952. He died in July 1993. On August 5, 1995, she married Hugh Ruth, and they continued to reside in Winterset.

She enjoyed crafts, inheriting this treasure from her mother. She especially enjoyed quilting and needlepoint. LaNelle loved to travel, having been to all 50 states and all continents except Antarctica.

LaNelle was named “Woman of the Year” in 1983 by the Chamber of Commerce and served on the Governor’s Board to “Study Nursing” in the state of Iowa in 1973-74, at the time re-licensing of nurses was reevaluated. She received the Antique Club’s “Preservation of Madison County History” award in 1994. LaNelle was a life member and longtime member of the Madison County Historical Society Board beginning in 1971 to 2008, serving as secretary for a number of years. She was a member of the Society's Endowment Board since its inception until 2008, serving as secretary. LaNelle was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star serving as Worthy Matron in 1954. She served as Annual Installing Matron for over 25 years. LaNelle was a member of the Christian Church in Winterset and has served as board member, elder, deacon and on many committees. In 2014, LaNelle moved to Deerfield in Urbandale, and became a member of the Waukee Christian Church.

She is survived by nieces and nephews including Kayla (Eugene) Turner, Janelle (Dan) Snyder, Jeff (Sharon) Turner, Martin Keeney, Jackie (Dusty) Purcell, Joyce Shaw, Matt (Tanya) Michener and Dennis Michener. Also surviving are two stepsons, Joe (Nancy) Ruth and Bill Ruth.

She is preceded in death by her two husbands and her siblings, Ardelle Keeney, John W. Michener and Dwight C. Michener.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Madison County Historical Society.