Erna Ruth Bentz

Erna Bentz Obituary

Erna Ruth Bentz peacefully left this world at the home shared with her daughters and son-in-law in Boise, Tuesday, May 2, 2006. Erna was born to Dr. Wilson and Loris (Taylor) Foskett, July 31, 1907 in White Bird, Idaho where she grew up, attended school, married, raised seven children and lived for 71 years. Erna´s life in White Bird was far from boring; aside from having two brothers, Lawrence (Doc) and Andrew (Andy) she would travel with her father to assist in caring for his numerous patients, attend the telephone switchboard located in her home, swim in the Salmon River, and ice skate on the local ice pond. She married Charles (Chase) Bentz, June 3, 1929 and moved to the Bentz Ranch near White Bird where they raised seven children. Soon after the death of her husband in 1975, she moved to Grangeville, Idaho where she lived until moving to Boise in 1995. Her interests were many, but first and foremost; was her love for her family and friends. She never forgot a face or a name. Putting others first helped her to live a long and fruitful life. While attending the World´s Fair in Chicago, her mother and father purchased a piano and encouraged her to play. She was still playing almost to the end. Music was one of her legacies. She shared it with her family as well as with many other children and adults in the community. She kept up with current events, loved reading, and writing. She spent many happy hours typing on her word processor. She always emphasized the importance of education to her children. She is survived by her daughters Virginia Adkison, Grangeville; Patricia Mackie, Boise; Charlene Bentz, Boise; Regina Malvich, Council and sons, Charles Bruce Bentz, White Bird; and Gerald A. Bentz, McCall, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, a daughter, Kay Ellen O´Neal and her brothers, Lawrence and Andrew Foskett. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, May 13 at 11 a.m. in White Bird Idaho at the I.O.O. F Hall. Internment will be at the White Bird cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions could be made to the White Bird Methodist Church or Horizon Hospice, 1530 W. State St., Meridian, Idaho.

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Published by The Times-Picayune on May 5, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Erna Bentz

4 Entries

Lee Hill

May 14, 2006

May 13, 2006

Erna,

I do remember your letting us pillow fight in the yard

and you didn’t fuss that all the cases were severely grass stained…

Letting the sheep into the living room because we wanted to

play with it there…

The mountains of dishes and house work that went undone because

of your unconditional commitment to the kids, the farm hands and anyone else that needed attention…

And the music…All the talent shows, Christmas programs,

and community events made possible because you gave the gift of your

music. When you were at the piano the town sang and danced!

Thank you for the gift of your children, independent, intellectually curious and

forever kind and whose friendship we treasure.

As a child I always thought, if I could be a “good as Erna” my place

in heaven would be assured”.

Lee Anna Hill

ken ruttman

May 10, 2006

Erna Bentz

You are a great humanitarian, you teach it everyday you live your life.

Your benevolence is carried on in your children and all who have known you. You have always been my hero.

I can say these things to you now because in life your humble self would not except this praise.

Terry Ruttman

May 6, 2006

I think often of being in your home as a child with all the joy you spread and the smell of fresh bannana bread in the oven. You wiil be in our hearts forever. Thank you for all you gave

Wendy Baird

May 5, 2006

Dear Grandma, I will miss you terribly, but I know you are at peace. You were an inspiration to all of us who knew and loved you. You will live in our hearts forever.

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