Bessie Bendt

BESSIE ADELIA BENDT was born on February 11, 1921 to Earl and Alma (Quam) Walker in Kenneth, Minnesota. She grew up and attended school in Luverne, Minnesota through the 8th grade. She later completed her high school education, earning her GED in 1979. On May 18th, 1942, she was united in marriage to Fabian Hollaren in Luverne, Minnesota. They lived in Rock Rapids, Iowa and Luverne for several years. In 1965, Bessie married Charles 'Ole' Bendt on June 6th in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The two settled in Pipestone, Minnesota where they stayed the remainder of their lives. In 2008, Bessie moved to Falls Landing in Pipestone where she lived for six years. In late January, Bessie moved into the Pipestone County Hospice House where she lived until her death on February 6, 2014 at the age of 92 years, 11 months and 25 days.

Bessie was a homemaker, wife and a loving mother and grandmother. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, ceramics, painting and reading. In her later years, she could often be found reading on her Kindle. She thoroughly enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow.

Bessie is survived by her children: Marilyn (Danny) Honermann of Adrian, Minnesota, James Hollaren of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, Douglas (Becky) Hollaren of Garretson, South Dakota, Dawn (Reed) McKee of Huron, South Dakota and Diane (Chuck) Schaap of Pipestone; daughter-in-law, Mary McGuire of Dell Rapids; two sisters: Addie Wiese of Adrian, Minnesota and Grace Wolf of Blair, Nebraska; sister-in-law Mary Bendt of Luverne; grandchildren: Deb, Denise, Julie, Terry and Wade Hollaren, John and Jade Honermann and Danielle Honermann-Frazeur, Zeke and Aryn Hollaren, Phillip and Jennifer McKee, Carrie (Schaap) Quist and Kelly Schaap; 15 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husbands: Fabian Hollaren and Charles 'Ole' Bendt; son Michael Hollaren; great-granddaughter Montana Honermann; 3 brothers: Warren, Billy and Myron and 2 sisters: Alice and May.