Gladys Irene Bentley

Gladys Irene Bentley, age 96, of Hawley, Minnesota, passed away peacefully Friday evening, September 25, 2026, at home surrounded by her loved ones.

Gladys was born in Syre, Minnesota, to the late John Martin and Julia Amanda (Skiem) Berg. On December 19, 1948, she married Ilo Leland Bentley in Ulen, Minnesota. Together, Gladys and Ilo shared 63 years of marriage and raised 10 children. Ilo passed away on May 23, 2011.

The early decades of Gladys and Ilo’s marriage were busy ones. They eventually settled on a farm north of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, with 10 children, mountains of laundry, countless meals to prepare, a house to keep, and seemingly endless chores to finish. Gladys was no stranger to hard work and simply did what needed to be done—usually without wasting much time. That included getting from one place to another. Those who rode with Gladys knew she had a rather enthusiastic relationship with the gas pedal. Raising 10 children left little time for driving slowly.

Gladys treasured time spent with family and friends. She loved playing cards—especially pinochle—and enjoyed thrifting, searching for treasures at garage sales, and going to Saturday night dances. She was also gifted with her hands. She enjoyed quilting with her daughter Laurie and the Hawley Girls, sharing many hours of friendship, conversation, and laughter. She was an accomplished crocheter as well, creating beautiful, award-winning afghans for many years. Her afghans were a testament to her patience, creativity, and talent, and many became treasured keepsakes.

Gladys had an extraordinary green thumb and a lifelong love of gardening. She seemed able to raise plants from the dead, nursing the most hopeless-looking specimens back to life until they became enormous, healthy plants. Her home was filled with greenery, and outside, her gardens flourished under her care. Wherever Gladys was, it seemed something was growing.

Gladys spent the last 22 years of her life in Hawley, surrounded by family, plants—and buttons. So many buttons. Gladys collected clothing buttons by what could only reasonably be described as the millions. Big buttons, little buttons, plain buttons, fancy buttons—if it could be sewn onto a piece of clothing, chances are Gladys had one. Or fifty. Should the world ever experience a serious button shortage, the family is fairly certain Gladys left behind enough inventory to see everyone through.

In honor of a collection that brought Gladys so much joy, family and friends are invited to bring a button—or five—to leave with her as a final little treasure. After all, when it came to buttons, Gladys always believed there was room for a few more.

Gladys is survived by her children, Julie Hulne, Gregory (Nancy) Bentley, Ronald (Lynn) Bentley, Debra (Ryan) Wouters, Dorine (Roger) Sorben, Jerry (Rebecca) Bentley, Laurie Bentley, and Jamie (Kim) Bentley; her daughter-in-law, Diane Bentley, wife of her late son Leland; 24 grandchildren; and 41 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Ilo; her son, Leland; her daughter, Jackie; her great-grandson, Jordayn; her sister, Evelyn; and her brothers, Odin, Judien, Harvey, and Raymond.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at David-Donehower Funeral Home, 609 US Hwy 10 East, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026, at First Lutheran Church, 912 Lake Avenue, Detroit Lakes, with Minister Barry Fewson officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather at the church from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the service.

Following the service, Gladys will be laid to rest beside her husband, Ilo, and their daughter Jackie at Oak Grove Cemetery in Detroit Lakes.