Final Salute

Bendtsen, Quentin James 95, resident of Fridley, MN, passed away in his sleep, on October 22nd, 2023 while in the VA hospital in Minneapolis, MN. His parents were Bernhardt Bendtsen and Mary Rohlik, and he was the youngest boy and only surviving sibling from his family. His brothers and sisters were Bernie, Connie, Robert, and LaVerne. Quentin was married to Patricia Smith, and Jeanne Shillock, both of whom preceded him in death. He had 8 children with Patricia, 7 of whom are living. James, Robert, Katherine, Elizabeth, Steven, Sharon, Michael (deceased) and John. He also has 12 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. Quentin was born in and lived in South Minneapolis, MN, attending Basilica grade school and West High School. He followed his two older brothers, Bernie & Robert, into military service during WWll, enlisting in the Navy as a SeaBee in 1945 at the age of 17 with his father’s signature, despite his mother’s resistance, because he was the youngest son, and his brother Robert had been killed in action in Anzio. After WWII, he was discharged and enrolled in art school. He must have had wanderlust because he then re-enlisted, this time in the Army and was a military photographer during the Occupation in Europe 1947-1949. After being discharged from the Army, he returned home, got his GED, and began his lifelong career in construction, starting as a carpenter, ending as a superintendent, and retiring in 1985. After retiring, he built a cabin in the woods near Motley, on the Crow Wing river and lived there with Jeanne until 2012, when they moved to a Senior living center in Coon Rapids, MN. After Jeanne died, Quentin lived at Landmark of Fridley, for several years before his death. Mass of Christian Burial 2:00 pm Monday, November 6, 2023 at The Church of the Epiphany (1900 111th Ave NW, Coon Rapids, MN). Visitation 1:00 pm until time of Mass at church. Interment with Military Honors Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 11:30 am. Please meet in assembly area #2 at 11:15 am. GearhartFuneralHome.com

Published on October 29, 2023