Franelen "Fran" Mary (nee May) Bentz

Franelen Bentz, of the Town of Cedarburg, passed peacefully into eternal life on Sweetest Day, Saturday, October 18, 2025, at her residence. She was 78 years old.

Fran was born on December 17, 1946, in Mineral Point, WI, the youngest child of Francis and Helen (nee Paulus) May. She grew up on the family beef farm in Mineral Point, where she spent her days playing outside with her siblings and riding horses every day with her sister.

One of the things Fran was most proud of was winning the grand champion ribbon for showing her steer at Wisconsin State Fair. Her show competitors would always say that all she had to do was walk into the show ring and they awarded her a blue ribbon.

Fran attended Mineral Point High School, graduating in 1965. After graduation, she studied at Bryant and Stratton College, where she graduated from the Business Management Program.

On Sweetest Day, 1968, Fran met Roger Bentz at the Milwaukee Civic Riders Motorcycle Club dance, where Fran's brother was a member. As they say, the rest is history. Fran and Roger were married on March 21, 1970, at Advent Lutheran Church in Cedarburg, WI. Fran often said she married her best friend.

Together, Fran and Roger spent the next 55 years running the family farm in Cedarburg-milking cows, and growing hay, corn and soybeans. They made time for fun, too, traveling to 48 of the US states and 10 countries.

They had two sons, Graham and Kerry. When the boys were in high school, Fran went to work in the office at Federated Realty/Coldwell Banker in Cedarburg until she retired in 2011.

Fran loved people, making new friends during all of her travels. She was a member of the prayer chain at Advent. She loved to be outside walking, tending the yard plants and her garden. In her younger years she had a very large garden and preserved food every year. Her family especially loved her dill pickles. She and Roger spent many years running Compassionate Fiends grief support group after losing their son Kerry in an auto accident.

By far, Fran's greatest passion was loving her family. She thoroughly enjoyed all her loved ones and was especially proud to be a grandma to Rachell and Charlotte.

Fran is survived by her husband Roger Bentz, her son Graham (Tracy) Bentz, granddaughters Rachell Turner and Charlotte Bentz, as well as many treasured nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.

Fran was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Helen May, her son, Kerry Bentz, and all of her siblings, Ron May, Judy VanDeripe, Tom May and Mary Jo May.

Funeral services for Fran will be celebrated at 4 PM, on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at Advent Lutheran Church, W63N642 Washington Ave. Cedarburg.

Friends and family are invited to a visitation at the Church on Sunday the 26th from 2-4 PM.

She will be laid to rest at Zur Ruhe Cemetery in Cedarburg.

Memorials to the American Cancer Society are appreciated.

The Eernisse Funeral Home, Cedarburg is honored to serve the Bentz family. Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com