Myles W. Bendtsen, 87, of Rose Creek, died Friday, June 22, 2012, at Our House Memory Care in Austin.

Myles was born Sept. 27, 1925 in Wagner, S.D., the second of 10 children to Ben and Anna (Reandeau) Bendtsen. When he was in the seventh-grade, Myles moved with his family to Hayfield, and two years later to Rose Creek. He graduated from Rose Creek High School in 1942 and attended Hamilton Business College in Mason City, Iowa. He maintained a life-long passion for reading and learning.

Myles married Mary Ella Emery on April 4, 1948, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin. For the remainder of their working years, they farmed in Rose Creek. Myles also did construction work and enjoyed woodworking and carving, drawing, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, playing in basketball and bowling leagues, playing cards, gardening, and occasionally trying his hand at cooking and baking. In his retirement years, he golfed nearly every day. Myles loved a good joke and told many.

An active member of the community, Myles served as a member of the Rose Creek and Southland school boards, as a 4-H leader, and for nine years as a member of the Mower County Planning Commission, where he was honored to vote for approval of the county’s first wind energy project. He was also an active member of St. Peter’s Church in Rose Creek where he sang in the choir and served for several years on the Parish Council, including a term as president.

Above all, Myles took great pride in his family; six daughters, four sons, 31 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Mary Bendtsen, Rose Creek; children, Kathy Larson (Felix Lozano), St. Paul; Randy (Diane) Bendtsen, Peoria, Ill.; Brad (Lorrie) Bendtsen, Peoria, Ill.; Denise (Tom) Lewison, Rose Creek; Alane Bendtsen (Steve Searle), Owatonna; Les Bendtsen (Jim Newstrom), Minneapolis; Mary (Ross) Johnson, Rochester; Melanie (Brian) Worrall, Huron, S.D.; Dean (Renae) Bendtsen, Rose Creek; siblings, Roma Samuelson, Austin; Ramona Peters, Austin; Alan (Carole) Bendtsen, Madison, Wis.; DeWaldon (Trish) Bendtsen, Rochester; Kay (Curtis) Lewison, Adams; Gary (Barb) Bendtsen, Elkton; Karen (Russell) Anderson, Rose Creek; Karol (Jack) Blink, Rochester.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Marcine; daughter, Janel Gleason; grandson, Scotty.

Special thanks to Ken Kroupa, whose kindness and friendship added greatly to Myles’ last year. Also, we thank his devoted sisters and sister-in-law who gave him much time and love. Thanks also to the staff of Our House Memory Care, who never made him feel like a man with dementia-only a man with friends.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 26, 2012, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Rose Creek with Father Thomas Loomis officiating. There will be a 6:30 p.m. wake service on Monday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. and also one hour before the service at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Peter’s Catholic Church.