Donald Ross Bentley, 65, of Butte.
With heavy hearts we share the loss of a husband and father, Don after a sudden and brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
Son to Edward and Nadine Bentley, he was born in Butte, Montana May 16th and graduated Butte High in 1977. He married the love of his life Mavis Mollberg, in 1983.
In his youth, he was active in scouts, DeMolay, and Boys State and enjoyed playing basketball and running track. He loved spending time with his family and friends bowling, camping, exploring, fishing, and hunting. He enjoyed watching sports and cheering on the Green Bay Packers, Montana State Bobcats, Montana Tech Orediggers, and Golden State Warriors.
He was a proud co-owner of Bentley Construction Company and lifelong member of the MT Carpenters Union. He built many beautiful homes, churches, and structures in and around Butte. In his free time, he played an active role in taking care of the church his father built and spent many hours helping out the Butte Food Bank.
Don’s life was full of joy and love and he shared it with everyone he came across. More than anything else, he loved spending time with his family, in the woods and on the lake, teaching his children and grandchildren how to hunt, fish, play cards and to “hold on tight!” while tubbing.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Nadine Bentley; Chuck and Leila Kothrade, Marvin {Molly} Mollberg; Brother-in-law, Dick Berry; Sister-in-law, Michelle Praytor; and nephew, Tanner Mollberg.
Don is loved greatly and unconditionally by his wife, Mavis; children, Blake and partner Amanda, Brady, Molly and husband Todd, Brett; his grandchildren, Jamey, Georgia, Ida and Cohen; his brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Midge; sister, Arlene Berry; numerous nieces and nephews, other family members and close friends.
Visitation with be held from 9:30-10:30, Friday November 8th, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 2300 Florence Ave., Butte, with services following at 11 am. A luncheon will immediately follow at Masonic Temple.
Memorials in Don’s honor can be given to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Butte Food Bank, Lenora’s Hospice Home in Anaconda, Butte Shriners or donor’s choice.
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services is privileged to care for Don and his family.
Please visit below to leave a condolence or share a memory of Don.
Service Schedule
Visitation
9:30 am to 10:30 am
Friday November 8, 2024
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
2300 Florence Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday November 8, 2024
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
2300 Florence Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Luncheon
Immediately Following
Friday November 8, 2024
Masonic Temple
314 West Park Street
Butte, Montana 59701
Service Schedule
Visitation
9:30 am to 10:30 am
Friday November 8, 2024
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
2300 Florence Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday November 8, 2024
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
2300 Florence Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Luncheon
Immediately Following
Friday November 8, 2024
Masonic Temple
314 West Park Street
Butte, Montana 59701
Share
Lee & Lorelee Wind says
Our prayers are with the entire Bentley family.
Connie Flynn says
Our thoughts and prayers are with the whole family. Much love
Tim, Casey and Connie Flynn
Ken Dockter says
Very sorry to hear of Don’s passing.
Condolences to all the family
The Dockters
Bob Mitchell says
Our condolences to the Bentley family at this time. Thoughts and prayers. Don was a great teammate. God Bless. -Bob Mitchell & Family
Tami Oconnell says
Sending love and prayers to the Bentley family…many fond memories of our friend
Ginny Powers says
Sending out prayers to the Bentley family. What an amazing man that will be missed deeply here on earth. Sincere Sympathy
Dan Durkin says
Don spent a lifetime building his family and community. A life well lived is the ultimate contribution to the people you love.
Rest in peace Don. You will be forever remembered.
Jennifer Shea says
Sending Blessings and Sympathy to the Bentley family. Don was a wonderful person. May His Memory Be Eternal With The Lord.
Sincerely,
Gary and Jennifer Shea
Kris Wilder says
My condolences to his family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I am Pearl and Gunnar Johnson’s granddaughter, Kris., Kris Wilder. As a child we spent many hours at Nadine’s home and Don was always so good to us – even taking us trick or treating a time or two.
Ron kindred says
Don was one of the few guy’s who i could see eye to eye with growing up .We were both so tall , Don was the kindest person you could ever ask to be around,. I had the great pleasure of his friendship and am deeply sorry to hear of his sudden passing. My prayers and deepest condolences to his family.
Stacy Leipheimer says
Don was all love and sunshine and will be forever in our hearts. There was always so much love and laughter coming from that end of the bay. He always met you with a smile. So happy we all got to spend time with him these last years. He was so creative and he and Mavis and kids built the most wonderful loving home that will forever be his tribute. Heaven has the greatest and biggest angel there ever was! But he will be so deeply missed ! Love and hugs !
David D Sandoval says
I remember Don as a true gentleman, a competitor and athletic. It was a pleasure to know him many years ago.
Janice Muniz says
My thoughts and prayers to Mavis and all of Don’s Family and friends.
May his memories hold dear in your hearts
. Rest in peace
Janice Muniz
David & Kathy Murto says
We are so saddened to hear of Don’s passing. I fondly remember going and getting Christmas trees for the church with Don. He would always use his Grandpa Bentley’s yellow pickup.
He will be truly missed.
Mudge Tamietti says
Don wss a great friend, gifted athlete and allaround great person. I first met him my spohomore year in Key Club. We worked several.projects together.
Rest in Peace my friend.
Shara and I send our deepest condolences to the family.
Mike Ingram says
What a kindhearted amazing guy. Not only my boss but also my friend. We had fun on the jobsite but also got the job done. You will never hear anything bad said about Don from any of the guys that ever worked for him. He was liked and respected by all who worked for him. I’m definitely going to miss him. Rest in peace buddy!!❤️
Peggy Boyle says
I was so sorry to hear of Don’s passing and truly sympathize with Mavis and the kids. May he rest in peace and your memories be comforting and warm
Julie Bugni says
We are so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. May he rest in peace and keep watch over you all
Julie & Gino
Nanci taylor says
Mavis. I was shocked to learn of Dons passing. He will be missed. He was an exceptional individual. And always thought of you as a great couple. Condolences to you and your family. Gary and nanci
Stephanie Bates says
My heart is broken for the Bentley family. May God Bless you with peace at this difficult time and the wonderful memories fill the void left by such an amazing man. Rest well Don, eternity is yours…you will forever be remembered.
Sue Parrett says
I went to school with Don and was saddened to hear of his passing – such a huge loss. My deepest sympathy to his family. 🙏🙏
Lauren Kippen says
OUR SINCEREST SYMPATHY TO THE BENTLEY FAMILY. KEEPING YOU CLOSE IN PRAYER.
BARRY AND LAUREN KIPPEN
Rande T Farrow says
Our condolences go out to the Bentley family in this time of grief in Don’s passing. I will forever remember Don as a man who loved life and lived life as a member of a loving family. Don was always a joy to work with on the hundreds of construction projects he and the family business completed in southwest Montana in Don’s career. On the Bentley jobsites Don always greeted you with that great big hearty smile that always made work with him a compete joy. Don is gone now, but that smile of his will never be forgotten. This is a true loss to his family and friends, as Don was a unique personality that will be sorely missed. Rest in peace Don.
Rande and JoAnn Farrow
Jodi McCarthy says
Prayers and peace to Mavis and the entire Bentley family. We are thinking of you all.
Sincerely,
Dave, Jodi & Lorenzo McCarthy
John and Diane Stenson says
Dear Brett and Family
We send our deepest sympathy to you in the loss of your dear dad. May the Lord give you all an abundance of strength during this very difficult time. Please find comfort in knowing he is free from pain. God Bless you all,
John and Diane Stenson. ( Shane’s grandparents)
Alana LaRock says
Mavis and family. My prayers and heart go out to all of you. This is a very difficult time but all those wonderful memories will help you weather this sadness. May the Lord be with all of you. Sincere sympathy Alana LaRock
Julie Buckley says
My most sincere condolences on your loss of this fine man! I remember from the olden days, at Womens’ circle, his Mom Nadine would blithely say: Oh, I’ll just have Donny do this (or that.) I am so sorry – may he rest in peace, and may his loved ones find peace as well
Mick Vergine says
Don was one of the good guys all through school. I’m sure he last a tremendous legacy.
Ronald Ronchetto, Kandis Ronchetto says
Ous sincer condolences to the Bentley family… We were so sad to hear of Don’s illness and his sudden passing. He was a sincere and good person. Don loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest…. the lord called him too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ron and Kandis Ronchetto
Pat and Patsy Callahan says
We are so sorry about your loss
Life is so unfair He was a wonderful person
You are in our hearts and prayers
God Bless 🙏🏻
Pat and Patsy Callahan
Nettie Queer says
We are so sorry about Don’s passing! He was a wonderful guy. Great memories of him from Gloria Dei church and Bill working with him on job sites!
God Bless your dear family.
Bill & Nettie Quees
bill brock says
condolences to dons family he was a great guy to work forrest in peace don
JB George says
Our sympathy to Mavis and all the family. Don was a such kind and generous human being, and he will be missed by so many.
Dan and Kim Roberts says
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Prayers and sympathy to the Bentley family.