Curtis Henry Bennett Bentley, age 90, of Twin Valley, MN, passed away peacefully on July 19th, 2025, surrounded by the love and presence of his family at Viking Manor Nursing Home in Ulen, MN.
Born on November 19th, 1934, to Theadora (Thompson) and Ervin Bentley, Curtis was raised on the family farm in Wild Rice Township alongside his siblings, Eldo, Shirley, and Roland. The rhythms of the land shaped his early years and sowed the seeds of a life rooted in faith, community, and hard work.
A proud graduate of Twin Valley High School in 1952, Curtis went on to study agriculture in Crookston before returning home to marry his sweetheart and lifelong love, JoAnn Peterson, on July 24th, 1955. Together, they purchased the Peterson family farm in 1956 — land they nurtured with devotion, and which continues to be tended with the same care and reverence today.
Curtis lived a life of quiet strength and steady purpose. For 35 years, he rose before dawn to milk his jersey cows, and for 41 years he safely carried generations of local children to and from school as a beloved bus driver for the Twin Valley and Norman County East school districts. Alongside JoAnn’s steadfast support, he also managed Flom Mutual Insurance for several years.His life was rich in friendship and fellowship. Curtis found deep joy in his community and his faith. A gifted musician, he never passed up the opportunity to sing with family and his dear friends in the Zion Lutheran Church choir. Curtis was a dedicated volunteer with Meals on Wheels and served as the Wild Rice Township Clerk, as well as on boards for Zion Lutheran Church and Flom Mutual. He was also a proud 4-H leader and an active member of the local conservation club. Curtis enjoyed a good card game, often with Jo at his side, surrounded by the laughter of his kids, grandkids, neighbors, and lifelong friends. In 2016, he moved into the Normandy Apartments, where he found not only a new home, but a new family among the residents and staff. He spoke often of the joy and companionship he found there.
A true outdoorsman at heart, Curtis found peace in the simple beauty of nature. He delighted in snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, and caring for his immaculate lawn — a pride he carried well into his later years. Nowhere was he more content than behind the wheel of a tractor or a mower, working the land he loved.
His legacy is one of love, humility, and steadfast devotion — to his family, his land, his faith, and his community.
Curtis was devout in his faith and his family finds comfort in knowing he is reunited with his love, JoAnn, on what would have been their 70th wedding anniversary. Curtis is survived by his son, Dean (Sheila) Bentley, a daughter, Denise (Kerry) Askelson all of Twin Valley, MN; a brother, Eldo Bentley of Twin Valley; a sister, Shirley Radtke of Moorhead; seven grandchildren; Matthew (Crystal), Michael (Megan), Mark (Karen), Drew (Rachel), Abbey (Michael), Seth (Maicie), and Eli, fourteen great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, one brother and a grandson, Miles Askelson.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Wednesday, July 23, with a Prayer Service at 6:30, at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Twin Valley, and will continue one hour before the funeral at the church on Thursday.