Russell "Russ" Lawrence Bense

Russell “Russ” Lawrence Bense, age 85, of St. Peter passed away on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.

Visitation will be 4-6 p.m., on Monday, July 15, 2024 at the Catholic Church of St. Peter. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at the church as well with visitation one hour before. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, St. Peter.

Russell Lawrence Bense, age 85, of St. Peter, passed away on July 10, 2024. “Russ” was born in Long Prairie, MN on October 25, 1938, the oldest of 7 children to Henry and Catherine (Rehome) Bense. 

He attended John Ireland School through eighth grade and graduated from St. Peter High School with the class of 1957. Russ met and married the love of his life Esther (Muellerleile) Bense on August 13, 1960. He began his career at Donlens/ADC in St. Peter. He then worked at St. Peter High School as the head of maintenance before moving to South Elementary, where he retired in 2003. Russ was very involved in his community. He was a member of the KCs, coached baseball, basketball, and umpired for many, many years. He loved to be busy and in his earlier years could be found on a roof any weekend shingling with his good friend Tom. Following retirement he could be found tending to Johnson Hall, helping out at John Ireland School and The Church of St. Peter and mowing the church cemetery. He also helped deliver food to the local food shelf with his “partner in crime”, Mike. Russ was a jack-of-all-trades and loved to tinker with things. He was a master at fixing vacuum cleaners and coffee makers. 

Russ had a knack for making the most flavorful popcorn and always happened to have a freshly popped batch whenever you stopped to visit. He could also be found feeding the neighborhood creatures with all the best leftover treats. He was always willing to lend a hand and had a booming laugh that was contagious to be around. Russ’ garage was a memorial to decades of one of a kind gems that found their way into a garbage that he knew deserved a new home, often to the chagrin of his other half. Russ enjoyed gardening, fishing trips to Canada with his friends, going to all his grandkids sporting events, and playing cards (with those who were brave enough to play with him!).

Russ is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Esther (Muellerleille) Bense, Daughters JoAnn (Steve) Scholtz, Cathy (Scott) Stevens, Son Chris (Joanie) Bense, Daughters Kimberly (Pat) Dobie, and Erin (Gary) Sandmeyer; Grandchildren Leigha Scholtz, Whitney Holtz, Makenzie Arnold, Ashley Baker, Olivia Stevens, Jacob and Malena Bense, Hannah and Luke Dobie, Logan and Grace Sandmeyer; Great-grandchildren Morgan and Rylee Holtz, Garrison and Reagan Baker; Brothers Don Bense, Jack (Terry) Bense, Vern (Diane) Bense, Sister Judy (Ron) Conrad, Brothers Lester (Polly) Bense, Keith (Brenda) Bense and numerous nieces and nephews.

Russ was a familiar face around St. Peter and a devout member of the St Peter Catholic Church. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.