Shirley Walker Bentgen

Shirley Lou Walker Bentgen, 90 of St/Ignace passed away early Tuesday morning, May 19 at her home following a lingering illness. She was born In St.Ignace on August 19,1924 to Louis Pauly and Ula Fay (Whiteside) Walker. Shirley graduated from LaSalle High School in 1942;, spent one year in colege and joined the U.S.Navy as a WAVE in October 1944. She was stationed in Norlolk Virginia, and in Chicago.After the navy and raising a family,she got her degree at Lake State in Social work. She was very active in the community of ST.Ignace, and a life member of the United Methodist Church. She was a life member of the American Legion, and has an original organizer of the Loryce M Dyer Hospice in St.Ignace. She retired from the Depertment of Social Services and then was an advocate and director of Veteran Affairs, obtaining funds for veterans and their wives. She was called a Benefit Facilitator. She was proud of accomplishments for veterans.She was the director of the Fish Memorial on the water front, and idea she got while visiting her son on the East Coast. When Shirley got an idea for St.Ignace she did not let up until it was in finished.She wasn't' always right but was never wrong. She and Jim Brown made a good pair when it came to accomplishments. She loved to sail, garden and also loved the woods. Her gardens were second to none.She also owned the Camp Store near the State Park for a few years., and lived in a tent behind the store so her family could share the experience. She married Robert Bentgen on November 29,1947 and he died July 21,1993. He was a Chief Marine Engineer on the Great Lakes. She is survived by her children; Louis Bentgen (Mary McGranaham), Nahant, Mass; Jill Bentgen (Will); Traverse City and St.Ignace; Fay (Kerry) West, Naples, Florida; Liz Moore, Carbondale, Colorado; brothers, David (Nancy) Walker, St.Ignace and Ronald (Diane) Walker, Marquette; brothers in law, Jack Bentgen and Bruce Bentgen, both St.Ignace'; 9 grandchildten and 2 great grandchildren. and many nieces and nephews. She was preceeded in death besides her husband,and her parents, son, Robert Walker Bentgen. in 1953; daughter, Jean Donckers in 2005; sistsrs Norma Ginevra Walker in 1953 ,Ann Olivia Walker in 2010; brothers, Howard W. Walker, in 1963 and Louis Wesley Walker. in 1957, and a son in law, Larry Moore, who was killed in 1999 in a skiing accident in Colorado. Friends may call at Dodson Funeral Home on Thursday, May 21 from 4 to 8 pm. Funeral services will be Friday, May 22 at 11 am at the St.Ignace United Methodist Church with Pastor Susie Hierholzer officiating. Burial will be beside her husband in Lakeside Cemetery. A Salute by the American Legion will take place at the cemetery. A luncheon will be at the church following graveside services.

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Shirley Walker Bentgen

May 19, 2015