MINDEN - Bertus Bebensee, 83, of Hildreth died Thursday, July 15, 2004, at Kearney County Health Services Long Term Care Unit in Minden.

Funeral services will at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Keene Evangelical Free Church with the Revs. Matt Snell and Bill Henderson officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery in Hildreth with military honors by the Hildreth Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Jelden-Layton Funeral Home in Hildreth.

He was born on Aug. 25, 1920, in Franklin County near Hildreth to Gustav and Anna (Habben) Bebensee.

On Oct. 30, 1949, he married Olive Hess.

He was baptized and confirmed at the St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Hildreth. He grew up in the Hildreth area.

He served in the U.S. Army in World War II and was in the Battle of the Bulge.

He returned to the Hildreth and farmed and also worked for Schwartz Brothers Implement.

After their marriage, the couple lived on a farm near Hildreth. They retired and moved into Hildreth in 1984.

He was member of Keene Evangelical Free Church and of the Hildreth VFW and was a past commander. He enjoyed bowling, playing cards and billiards, music and coffee with his friends.

He was a very outgoing person and a friend to all. He was a gentleman, a big man with a big heart and a loving husband, father and grandfather.

He was preceded in death by daughter, Barbara and his parents.

Bertus R Bebensee