Neva June Bentz, 95, Washburn, ND slipped away peacefully on April 17, 2020 at the Garrison Hospital after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Cremation has taken place and the Celebration of Neva's life will be held at a later date.

Neva was born June 22, 1924 to Jacob and Lyone (Kirk) Ottema in Hensler, North Dakota.  Being the eldest and only girl with five brothers, she learned early on the meaning of hard work.  She graduated from Hensler High School. She married Gideon Bentz on August 15, 1942 and they made their home near Hensler. Neva was the consummate farm wife – milking cows, gardening, canning, sewing, not to mention being able to whip up tasty meals at a moment's notice. There was always enough for "just one more" at the dinner table. Gideon died in January 1991 and Neva stayed on the homestead, on her own, for many years.

She loved being with family, especially enjoying her grandchildren and watching them in their many activities.  After deciding she had shoveled enough snow, she moved to an apartment in Washburn, ND.  There she welcomed many guests and always had plenty of tea, cookies, and candy to share. She enjoyed spending the holidays with her children and their families, watching the antics of her great grandchildren. One of her children once asked her how old she was when she stopped worrying about her children, her answer was "I'll let you know."

Neva is survived by her sons, Bruce (Pat) Bentz and Dale (Sheila) Bentz; her daughter, Karen Bishop; her grandchildren, Stephanie, Tammie, Sean, Dustin, Rustin, Justin, Leeann and Leslie and her two brothers, Ernest and Douglas; her great grandchildren, Marisa, Meghan, Aubry, Brock, Aaron, Kaylee, Logan, Jayden, Haylie, Bekka, Nashton, Dawson, Bella and Keegan and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Lyone; her husband, Gideon; her brothers, Vernon, Jack and Donald and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law.