Louis Dean Bentzinger was born to Louis J. and Rosa (Riensche) Bentzinger on February 16, 1931 on the family farm near Cook, NE. He was baptized at home by Pastor Paul Mall of Helena and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cook. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church from its beginnings in 1949. He graduated from Cook High School in 1948.

Following high school, he completed training at the Electronic Radio-Television Institute in Omaha and received his FCC license. He then began working for the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) as a two-way radio technician. On December 7, 1951, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and served his country in Europe as a Microwave Radio Technician of the 7793 Signal Corps Microwave Radio Relay Platoon on the Maginot Line in France near Luxembourg and the European Communications Center in Heidelberg, reaching the rank of corporal.

Louis was united in marriage to Grace Seeba on July 24, 1955 at Grace Lutheran Church in Cook. They made their first home in Otoe County where he farmed with his father. In addition, he created and operated a service business, Bentzinger TV & Electric. Louis and Grace moved to the “home place” in Johnson County in 1977 and continued farming. He was a Direct Jobber and sold Amsoil synthetic lubricants for over 50 years.

Volunteer roles over his 95

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years included 4-H club leader, Sunday School teacher, Church Council member, voting member of synod and national ELCA assemblies, Nebraska Synod Council member, and American Legion Bickell Nelson Post Adjutant and member for over 73 years. He helped care for the Cook Cemetery for many years.

Louis died on August 27, 2026, at Good Samaritan in Syracuse, NE. Louis was a man of faith, perseverance, integrity, strong work ethic, lifelong learning and a love of family and community. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife of over 71 years, Grace; his children, Monique Poldberg (Lance) of Lake Elsinore, CA, Denise Linder (Mike) of Lincoln, NE, Maribeth Hohenstein (Jeff) of Omaha, NE, and Daniel Bentzinger (Annette) of Olathe, KS. His grandchildren: Matthew Poldberg (Marta Palley), Jonathan Poldberg (Shelby Avol), Kara Christensen (Cole), Luke Linder (Anna) , Amanda Stender (Tyler), Emily Hohenstein, Paxton Bentzinger (Jennelle), Alex Bentzinger and Jacob Bentzinger (Camille) and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters Joan Staack and Margaret Damme, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by their infant son, Gregory Alan, his parents, an infant brother, sisters Gayleen Eden and Eleanor Tehee, brothersin- law Eugene Staack, Lavern Eden, and Owen Tehee.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, August 31 at 2 pm at Grace Lutheran Church, Cook, NE. The service will be livestreamed on the Grace Lutheran Facebook page. Burial will follow at Grace Lutheran Cemetery near Cook.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 30 from 12 to 6 pm at the Fusselman-Harvey-Allen Funeral Home in Syracuse, NE. The family will be present from 4-6 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Cook Rescue Squad, Cook Volunteer Fire Department, or the Cook Museum.

Arrangements By: Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse