Lillian Linae (Gabrielson) Bentz, age 92, of Algodones, NM, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at the home she shared with her son and daughter-in-law.
Lillian was born on February 24, 1921 and raised in Gladstone, MI. Lillian was one of 17 children born to Swedish immigrants, Erick and Lena (Malmberg) Gabrielson.
Lillian subsequently met her husband, Arnold E. Bentz at a USO dance in Waukegan, IL, and they married at Saint Paul's Lutheran Church in Providence, RI, on January 11, 1944. Lillian (with two sons in tow) traveled by train from Washington D.C. to Albuquerque, NM in 1949 about six months after her husband moved here for a job at Sandia National Lab. Upon arrival here she noted how desolate Albuquerque appeared back then. Albuquerque did not exist northward much past Central Avenue. Lillian and her husband, Arnold developed a strong interest in the outdoors and fishing, activities they shared with their two boys. Over a period of sixty years, the family worshipped at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Faith Lutheran and then All Saints Lutheran on the West Side. After children, Lillian and Arnold became absorbed in arts and crafts, everything from pottery, to jewelry, mosaics and painting.
Lillian is survived by her son, Melvin and daughter-in-law, Rhonda and daughter-in-law, Cathy Bentz, five grandchildren, Jeremiah, Matthew, Christopher Board and Marisa of Albuquerque, Gabriel of Selma, CA and great-grandchildren, Katherine Lucero and Matthew Board of Albuquerque and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins in Michigan.
Lillian was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold E. Bentz and son, Arnold F. Bentz, her parents, seven brothers, Alvin, Oliver "Pee Wee", Clarence "Kella", Bill, Floyd, George and Melvin and six sisters, Alva, Mildfred, Cecelia, Eleanore, Dorothy and Eilleen.
A small memorial service for Lillian will be held at All Saints Lutheran Church on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Santa Fé National Cemetery, Santa Fé, NM.