ReJean Bent
May 10, 1920 ~ September 4, 2010
ReJean “Jean” Bent, 90, of Faulkton, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Saturday, September 4, 2010 at the Faulkton Healthcare Center.
A Celebration of Life will was held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 11, 2010 at the United Church of Faulkton with Pastor Paul Smith officiating. Burial of her cremains took place at the Faulkton Cemetery.
ReJean “Jean” Maxine Ramsdell was born May 10, 1920 to Claude and Barbara (Birrenkott) Ramsdell at their home in Faulkton, South Dakota. She grew up in Faulkton, graduating from Faulkton High School in 1938.
Jean married Leland “Bill” Bent of Orient, South Dakota on September 5, 1940. To this union four children were born: Barbara Jean (Dan) Duncan, Rapid City, SD, Claude E. (Karen) Bent, Hot Springs, SD, Judith Joann (Richard) Peterson, Elkhorn, NE, and Nancy Lee (Mike) Grunewaldt of Miranda, SD; six grandchildren: Stephanie (Chad) Hanson, Sioux Falls, SD, Danielle Price, Rapid City, SD, Angi Dawn (Barry) Edwards, Rapid City, SD, Shanelle Leah (Matt) Richardt, Nashville, TN, Derrick Lee (Nicole) Peterson, Omaha, NE and Dustin T. Peterson and Fiancé Kristin Clark of Omaha, NE.
Jean worked for “Pat” Deiter and Gerald Roberts in the café and later that year in the Faulk County Auditor’s office until resigning in 1943 to raise Barbara, as Bill was serving in the Pacific. She returned to work in the Auditor’s office until going to work at the Faulkton School as secretary in 1977 which she did until April 1984.
Jean was a member of the United Church of Faulkton and the United Women, she served as a substitute teacher for the elementary Sunday School, was Methodist Youth Fellowship Leader for several years and also was the secretary for the Board of Trustees and Memorial Board. She sang in the church choir from her high school years until 1984 and through the years belonged to the Tuesday Morning Bible Class. Jean was also a charter member and musician for the VFW Auxiliary and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a den mother for cub scouts. Both she and Bill were presidents for the early golf club. Jean belonged to the Tuesday Club till they disbanded in 2008. She was a charter member of the Shirk Home Auxiliary and enjoyed volunteering her time with the residents and staff. In 1985 “her school kids” asked her back to address their commencement exercises.
Jean loved her children, grandchildren and those nine great grandbabies: Zachary, Jade, Dylan, Courtney, Emily, Madalyn, Mylee, Easton and Sam. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents and four brothers, John M., Len, Cecil and George Ramsdell.
She is survived by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who had a special place in her heart.
Jean wanted to thank her very good neighbors and friends for all they did, it meant a lot to her. She also wanted to especially thank Nan and Mike for all they did while she was in her apartment and to all her children for their consideration and help; but most of all, their love.
Jean’s family will always remember the wonderful get togethers with family, friends, good food, laughter and love that filled their home.
Memorial are directed to the United Church of Faulkton, PO Box 411, Faulkton, SD 57438 or Compassionate Care Hospice, 807 E. Highway 212, Gettysburg, SD 57442-1815.
Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Jean's arrangements.
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Jean’s family – Sorry to hear of the lose of your dear mother. She always had a smile on her face. Remember being neighbors to here when we were younger. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, but love leaves memories no one steal. Praying God’s blessing on each and every one. My love
Our family has many fond memories of jean at the school. One of my sons said she was always so nice to visit with when you had to stop at the office.
Cherish the fond memories!
Newell, Barb, Brian, & Lance
So glad I got to see Jean the last time I was home. She was a very special & lovely lady.May the good lord be with you all.
To All of Jean’s Family:
Please know of my thoughts and prayers during your time of loss. My heart is full of so many wonderful memories of both your mom and dad during my high school years.
There was always an extra place for someone to stay and always, always a warm meal for those of us who were most fortunate to be ‘adopted’ on a number of occasions when we could not get home. Without any doubt, these will always remain some of my fondest memories of FHS!
God Bless each of you and always remember how many lives Jean and Bill touched over the years!
Lovingly,
Shirley Schwab
Aberdeen
To all of Jeans family we wish to express our sympathy. She was such a dear lady. None of us or any of our children will ever forget Jean. She was one special lady. You could ask Jean to do anything for you and she always made sure we were well taken care of. Bill and Jean were super in the VFW supper club. They were so easy to know and love. We seemed to see them at least weekly there……..We are certain that the memories you hold in your heart will see you through these dark days.
Terry and Carol Witte
Even if your visits with Jean were years apart, her warmth and goodness instantly made you feel welcome. To her family – – I know how important she was to all of you. Little things remembered will help ease the pain and make you smile at that memory. I will think of you often in the days ahead.
Jean was a very special lady–always a smile on her face. She will be greatly missed by all that knew her. Your family must have many great memories that will keep her in your hearts!
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I think I faked sick many times at school so she would take care of me. I have so many great memories of Jean and my Mom at the courthouse. She was a great lady!
Oh crap!
Just one of the many funny lines I remember Jean saying. I’m so grateful to the Bent kids for sharing their mother with me. What a lady! Some favorite memories are:
1) wearing an afro wig while trick or treating in Faulkton, I think that she was 88 at the time
2) sitting in her walker while Judie was instructed on how to properly make candy
3) Saying “shouldn’t Deb be getting up, it’s 7:00”
4) surprising her when I would come to the area to work
5) seeing her face light up when talking about her grandkids or her Greats
I hope that I can be as graceful and courageous when God calls me home.
Much love to you all,
Deb
Will always remember Jean as a kind, caring person who always asked about me and showed interest. A joy to be around. Her family and friends will have memories forever. Thinking of her family at this time…special condolences to my Aunt Barb Bent Duncan and my classmate, Nancy Bent Grunewaldt.
Rod Deiter
You have my sympathy. Jean was such a positive role model to those of us who grew up around her. She will be missed.
Barb, Dan and Family;
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Celebrate life and all of the good times.
Bent Family – We are so sorry for your loss. Jean will definitely be missed. There will be many tears over the next few days, but we also know there will be laughter! Your family wouldn’t have it any other way – and laughter through tears is one of the best emotions! We will be thinking of you…
My thoughts and prayers to the family. I have so many fond memories of Jean. Bill and Jean were managing the Club when we had our wedding dance there in 1973–they were so wonderful and gave us terrific memories. Also, remember standing at the school office window buying Clay’s lunch ticket when he was starting kindergarten. Ryan, age 3, reached across and pulled the fire alarm, as he said “what’s this?” Jean was so calm as alarm went off and she called to inform the dept. it was a false alarm. Loved seeing her at church whenever I would get back. She always had a smile and a cheerful comment. What a wonderful lady! The community will miss her.
My prayers are with you!!! She was such an important person to the whole Faulkton community.
Donna Hillman McLaird
In all of our lives, we have never met anyone who is more loving, caring & giving than our Aunt Jean – what a truly special lady she was & how blessed we were to have her in our lives.
Barb, Judy, Nancy, Claude and families, we are thinking of you & are will keep you in our prayers.
Love to all,
Cousins Pat and Arlene
Jean was such a special lady ~ I have such great memories of going over to Bill and Jeans’ growing up, I think I thought for awhile they were my Grandma and Grandpa too!! She will be greatly missed by everyone that knew her. You are in my thoughts and prayers as you say goodbye to her.
Deena Cunningham Schulz
Jean’s sense of humor was evident in the quilt block she made for Dorothy’s 80th birthday memory quilt years ago. The story behind it was an example of the good friendships in the Faulkton/Seneca community.
We are sorry for your loss.
To the Bent family, WOW, she was a great lady. She will be missed by the entire Faulkton community.
May God bless her wonderful family during this time sorrow.
Thanks for sharing her with the rest of us. We were all so fortunate to have known her.
We are thinking of you today as you celebrate your dear mother’s & grandmother’s life. Her obituary is a wonderful tribute. You are all an expression of her legacy. We know you will find comfort in all the good memories.
Our sympathy,
Reen & Jim Malsom
Whenever I think of Jean, I will remember that quick smile and recognition she gave me. She was a fun lady. Find peace in your memories…..you have so many…thinking of you. Lori
Our sincere belated sympathies to all of you. Thinking about growing up in Faulkton I can’t help but think of what a special person Jean was. I think of how much she loved her children but also how welcoming she always was to any of the rest of us that came along. I know you are certainly missing her but have so many great memories. She and your Dad were both such great people.