MONTPELIER - Merinda Vilate Larsen Bentsen, 91, passed away at her home in Montpelier on June 14, 2003. She was born Sep. 2, 1911, in Sterling, Alberta, Canada to James and Olive Passey Larsen. At age five the family returned to the United States. She attended Emerson School and Fielding High School in Paris. She married Gerald Henry Bentsen on Feb. 19, 1935. He passed away on Nov. 7, 1974. They had two children, one son Larry G., and one daughter, Kay. Kay passed away Jan. 7, 1979. Merinda also raised her sister Pearl's daughter RaeAnn Bentsen.
She worked for Budge's and Pugmire's Ranch as a cook and Dr. and Alice Rich as a housekeeper for 28 years. She loved being in the outdoors, fishing, camping and yard work. She also enjoyed sewing by hand or machine and also cooking for her family. She loved music and flowers.
Merinda is survived by her son Larry Bentsen, one daughter, Mrs. Dennis (RaeAnn) Wilcox both of Montpelier, six sisters and two brothers, six grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Gary, her daughter Kay, both of her parents, three brothers and one sister.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 17, at 1 p.m. in the Matthews Mortuary Chapel and burial will follow in the Montpelier Cemetery.