Adeline Ella Behnke Bent, 94, died peacefully at her home in Lakeland, Fla., on Monday, Jan. 20, with members of her family by her side. Her death came from the complications of advancing age.
She shared 72 ½ years of holy matrimony with her husband, Roland Charles Bent, who preceded her in death in March 2010. Born in her family home, located on Brock Road north of Gillett, on Sept. 2, 1919, to Hulda and Karl Behnke, she married Roland on Nov. 24, 1937, in Green Bay. At a time when steady work was rare and luxuries few, they started to build a life together.
She grew up on the family dairy farm with an extended family of 11 brothers and sisters. Her young life revolved around play, work, swimming in the pond behind the farm house and attending her “little schoolhouse.” School, located at County Road G and Brock Road, was a special pleasure to her, with pleasant memories of the one-room schoolhouse lasting her entire life. She was baptized into the Lutheran faith and was confirmed at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
She met her life partner, Roland, at a dance and quickly accepted a dance and a ride on his motorcycle. Married life started in Green Bay, but work took them to Manitowoc, where their only daughter and three sons were born. By the end of World War II they had opened their first motorcycle/bicycle shop. Over the years all four children would become active in the family business.
Relief from the cold winters of Wisconsin sent Adeline and Roland to a warmer climate in Lakeland, Fla., where they opened Bent’s Bicycle Shop in 1961. The family’s bicycle tradition continues with middle son Steven now the proud owner of that family business.
Mother Bent’s skills as a homemaker were unequaled. She always kept her home in immaculate order and looked forward to the arrival of family or friends. As a seamstress Mother Bent excelled. For many years those skills were dedicated to making quilts. While a few of her exquisite quilts were made for family members, many dozens of quilts were made for Lutheran World Relief.
Adeline and Roland are survived by their daughter, Sandra Oestreich, and her husband, Walter, of Lakeland; their son, Charles Bent, and his wife, Davette, of Rockville, Va.; their son, Steven Bent, and his wife, Vicki, of Lakeland; their son, Jeffery Bent, of Petersburg, Va.; plus seven grandsons, one granddaughter, four great-grandsons, five great-granddaughters, one great-great-grandson, three great-great-granddaughters; and many nephews and nieces.
Condolences can be sent to 1058 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL 33803.
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