Living married Carla Diane Smith Carla was born on 22 Jan 1947 in Idaho Falls, Bonneville, ID; died on 10 Oct 2006 in Bozeman, Gallatin, MT; was buried on 14 Oct 2006 in Sunset Hills Cem., Bozeman, Gallatin, MT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Carla Diane Bendz of Bozeman passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 10, 2006, at the age of 59. She finally lost her courageous 15-year battle with ovarian cancer.

Carla was born Jan. 22, 1947, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Jack and Wanda Nelson Smith. She completed high school in Idaho Falls, and married Lynn Robert Bendz in 1965.

Carla is survived by her husband, Lynn of Bozeman; three children, Bryce and Ami of Denver, and Matthew of Bozeman; five grandchildren; her father, Jack Smith and his wife, Joan, and Carla's brother, Jack Lee Smith, all of Idaho Falls; one brothther-in-law, Jon Bendz of Lafayette, Calif.; two sisters-in-law, Pat Lovejoy of Idaho Falls and Lois Bendz Klatt of West Yellowstone; nieces and nephews, Jason Bendz of Bozeman, Patti and Joaquin Bendz of Anchorage, Alaska, Shiloh Klatt of Ennis, Josh Klatt of Salt Lake City, and Jake Klatt of Santa Monica, Calif.; and numerous step-siblings.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Wanda Nelson Smith.

The family would like to warmly thank friends and the members of the LDS church for their love and kind support. We are grateful, also, to the ladies of hospice, who eased Carla's pain with their wonderfully professional and compassionate care.
Those wishing to pay their respects may do so from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, at Dahl Funeral Chapel, 300 Highland Blvd., Bozeman; and at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center, 2915 Coulter Drive, Bozeman, at noon, Saturday, Oct. 14. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, followed by interment in Sunset Hills Cemetery.

Donations in Carla's name may be made to Bozeman Deaconess Hospice, c/o Bozeman Deaconess Foundation, 931 Highland Blvd. Suite 3200, Bozeman 59715.

Alan married Wilhelmina Strommer on 18 Feb 1939 in Lincoln, Lancaster, NE. Wilhelmina was born on 12 Oct 1910 in Voitsburg, , Austria; died on 20 Jul 1993; was buried in Jul 1993 in , Wolf Point, Roosevelt, MT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

According to Iva Bendz, Her father's farm in Sweden was adjoining the farm of Lar's wife Ingar. He came to America on April 13, 1886. His name was originally Bengtsson. They moved from Carlton, NE to Ceresco NE (North and East of Ceresco) in 1903. They moved to Ceresco in the spring of 1907.

Nels married Mary Martinson on 6 Jul 1898 in Swedeburg, Saunders, NE. Mary (daughter of Lars Martinson and Ingre L Johnson) was born on 27 Oct 1872 in Swedeburg, Saunders, NE; was christened in Swedeburg, Saunders, NE; died on 18 Apr 1944 in Ceresco, Saunders, NE; was buried on 21 Apr 1944 in Fridhem Cem., Swedeburg, Saunders, NE. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary was born in the sod house that Lar's built.
Obituary of Mrs. Mary Bendz
Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Bendz were conducted last Friday afternoon at the Nelson Funeral Home in Ceresco and the Covenant Church with Rev. Ebert Turnquist officiating. Music was furnished by Dorothy and Helen Dahl, Emil Anderson, wirgaret Nelson at the piano.
Mrs. Mary Bendz, a child of the late Mr. And Mrs. Lars Martinson, was born in Swedeburg, Nebraska, October 27, 1872. There she grew up as a girl to womanhood. On July 6, 1898, she was married to Nels Bendz and together with him settled onm in the Swedeburg community. To this wedlock were born three sons and one daughter.
Due to the ill health of Mr. Bendz the family moved to Ceresco in 1907 and ever since Mrs. Bendz has been a resident of this community, except for short intervals. Since November 6,
1909, she has been a widow when her husband and the support of the family was taken away from them by death. This left her with a great responsibility, but through her resourcefulness and initiative she was able to raise her family which have made their way respectfully in life.
Mrs. Bendz was a devoted member of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Ceresco since 1907. The later years she was not able to attend its services due to failing eyesight and feebleness, but always appreciated the calls of her pastor.
She spent the past winter in Lincoln in the homes of her daughter and son, where she was tenderly cared for. In spite of this she contracted the flue which left her with complications. Early this spring she came back to her old home in Cerehere she had hopes of becoming better. Some one was engaged to nurse her, but after several weeks of lingering illness, she fell asleep in Jesus early Tuesday morning, April 18, 1944.
She is deeply mourned by a daughter, Mrs. Iva Ericson, Lincoln, three sons, Ralph of Wahoo; Clifton of Ceresco, and Allan of Lincoln; three brothers, Nels, Fred and Emil Martinson and a sister Mrs. Ella Hagstrom, all of Swedeburg, Nebraskd five grandchildren, other relatives and a wide circle of friends.

Notes:

Married:
They were married on the lawn of Lars's home in Swedeburg, where Mary was born, at three o'clock P.M.