Obituary of Mary Gail Bentz

Mary Gail Bentz, 93 of 701 Oaknoll Drive, Iowa City, died Saturday, February 1, 2014, at Oaknoll Retirement Residence following a brief illness. Memorial services will be held at 2 pm Friday, February 7, 2014, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Iowa City followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Mary Gail's memory to the University of Iowa Foundation for the Museum of Art or the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Iowa City. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Mrs. Bentz was born on March 29, 1920, in Goldsboro, NC, the daughter of Espie Flynn Menius and Sudie Grey Lyerly Menius. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1941 with a major in English literature. She married Dale M. Bentz on June 13, 1942, in New Bern, NC. She taught in private and public schools in North Carolina before moving to Iowa City in 1953, when her husband accepted a position with the University of Iowa Libraries. She became active in the art community and exhibited her prints and watercolors in many area shows. For four years she taught watercolor classes at the Senior Citizens Center. Mary Gail was a member of the University Club, Shakespeare Club and the Print and Drawing Study Club of the Museum of Art. She also served as a volunteer at the University Hospitals, the former Nelson School for Handicapped Children; the Old Capitol, Senior Center, Art Center and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Her family includes her husband; three children, Dale Flynn Bentz and his wife, Judy of Calabasas, CA; Thomas Earl Bentz and his wife Sharlot of Euless, TX; Carol Bentz Roach and her husband, Michael of Kirkland, IL; eight grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, E. Flynn Menius of Hartsville, SC; and Jack A, Menius of Raleigh, NC. She was preceded in death by her brother, James L. Menius. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Mary Gail's family and her services.