Charles Bense

Charles Bense, 77, of Long Prairie passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2015. Funeral services were held Saturday, September 19 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Long Prairie. Interment was at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Long Prairie.
Charlie was born September 24, 1937, in Long Prairie to Erwin & Florence (Martenson) Bense. He was baptized and confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Long Prairie. Charlie attended country school at District 40; known as the Hinman School, and graduated from the Long Prairie High School.
Charlie enlisted in the US Army in 1956 and was honorably discharged on April 15, 1958. On June 10, 1960, Charlie married Judith Gmeiner. He worked at Hart’s Press for 40 years, retiring in 1999. He also owned and operated the Long Prairie Rubber Stamp Company for 40 years. Charlie was a member of the Long Prairie Fire Department from 1965 to 1993.
Charlie enjoyed spending time with his family camping, deer hunting in Wyoming and Williams, MN, following the Long Prairie High School sports and the Moorhead State University football team. He always enjoyed the good times at the fire hall.
Charlie and Judy enjoyed many winters in Weslaco, TX, helping with the weekly music jam. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, who were the highlight of his life.
Charlie is survived by his wife Judy of Long Prairie; children: Dennis (Laurie) Bense of Bismarck, ND, Jeff (Betty-Jo) Bense of Glasgow, MT, Debbie (Dean) Prestby of Turtle River, MN; grandchildren: Leah (Mel) Vargas, Kirsten Bense and Shay Bense; great grandchildren: Sebastian, Gabriel and Aurora Vargas; sister Carol (Ron) Bomstad of Rice.
Charlie is preceded in death by his parents; infant sister Phyllis, granddaughter Brittany, in-laws, Ervin & Augusta Gmeiner.