John O. “Jack” Bentsen, 84, of Seneca, KS, died Tuesday, July 11, 2000, at Country View Estates Care Home in Seneca. He had been a resident there since May 31, 2000.

He was born November 19, 1915 at Blaine, KS, the son of James and Laura Hansen Bentsen. He grew up there and attended school. Earlier he farmed in the St. Bridget Community northwest of Axtell, Kansas. He moved to Seneca in 1942, worked at the Usher Ford Dealership, the Log Cabin Service Station, and drove a truck for Ben C. Holthaus Trucking, all in Seneca.

On November 22, 1939, he married Leona Cohorst at St. Bridget Church northwest of Axtell, Kansas. She died December 29, 1951.

He married Oreta Breese on October 25, 1975 in Seneca. She survives of the home in Seneca.

Survivors besides his wife Oreta include a son, Gerald Bentsen of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada; two daughters, Patricia “Peg” Bentsen and Elaine Bentsen, both of Seneca; a step-son, Allan Kramer of Leavenworth, KS; a step-daughter Kathy Warren of French Camp, CA; a sister, Esther “Betty” Cunningham of Prairie Village, KS; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two step- grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren.

Besides his first wife Leona, he was also preceded in death by a son, John Leon Bentsen, on August 10, 1948.

A vigil prayer service will be held at 7 PM Thursday at Lauer Funeral Home, where he will lie in state after 10:30 AM Thursday. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery in Seneca.

Memorials may given for Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, and sent in care of the family.