Wilma I. Bentley

August 18, 1929 — June 21, 2026

Wilma Bentley

Service Details

Wilma Irene Bentley, age 96, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Eden Acres in Perry, Iowa.

Wilma was born August 18, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan to William and Lutena (Keesling) Roberts. She married the love of her life, James Bentley on May 15, 1947.

Wilma was the epitome of strength, resilience, and determination. She was able to go through life’s adversities with humor and grace. She developed her love of sewing and quilting through her grandmother, aunts, and mother. As a child, Wilma was also fascinated with rocks and would study them. She also loved to travel and explore new places. At the age of 55, she decided to go to college. She attended UNI and majored in Geology with a Geography minor. During this time, she went with a group of students and went backpacking in the Rockies. One of her crowning achievements was a map of China that was an undergraduate cartography project. Wilma had a green thumb and people would marvel at her vegetable garden and her beautiful wildflower garden gracing the back end of her yard in Cedar Falls. When she no longer had a garden, she loved to tour other people’s gardens. She was often the life of the party. Her vibrant personality and unforgettable sense of humor left a lasting impression on everyone she met.

She is survived by her son Howard (Diane) Bentley, daughter Glenda (Richard d.) Turkowitsch, daughter Pam Mitchell (Ernie d.), son Eugene (Linda) Bentley, and son Wally Bentley. She is also survived by her grandchildren James C., Beverly D., Heather E., Justin M., Michelle M., Alyssa M., Brittany L., Anneliese S., Wilma B., Toni T., Richard T., and Rachel B., 22 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Wilma was preceded in death by her husband James Bentley, her parents William and Lutena Roberts, her in-laws George and Elizabeth Bentley, her brother Wallace Roberts, sister-in-law Irene Roberts, and daughter Janet Chapman.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.

Memorials to Salvation Army.