Christine Bentke

Christine Flentge Bentke, widow of Melvin Bentke, passed away peacefully in her home on August 6, 2015, at the age of 80. Christine Bentke was born July 12, 1935 in Brenham, Texas to Christian Dippel and Teadie Brisbain Dippel. She and her sister were adopted by Albert and Hattie Schultz Flentge, when she was only fourteen months old. She was baptized on July 5, 1936, and confirmed on March 18, 1951. She married her long-time love, Melvin Bentke, on June 3, 1952. Christine was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who never missed an opportunity to talk to or spend time with her family. She loved working outside in the hayfield and her garden. She enjoyed traveling to and attending ballgames, her card playing, her animals, and fellowship with friends and family in person and by telephone. Melvin and Christine were the business owners of Bentke''s Food Mart, in Houston and Independence Food Center. She always enjoyed visiting with her customers, friends, and vendors, and her smile and zest for life was contagious. Mrs. Bentke was a member of the St. John''s Lutheran Church, Washington County Cattlewomen, Prairie Hill Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, Washington County Soil Conservation Agency, and a valued volunteer with Bread Partners. She is survived by her son, Bobby Bentke, and wife, Susi Bentke of Houston, son, Roger Bentke, and special friend, Patt Bartlett of Washington, daughter, Brenda Meadows, and husband Michael Meadows of Brenham and son, Mark Bentke, and wife, Sherri Bentke of Washington. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Richard Bentke and wife Min Sun Kim, Melanie Honeycutt and husband Chris McHone, Ryan Bentke and special friend, Heather Fife, Casey Rogers and husband, Billy Rogers, Sean Meadows and special friend, Stacy Iardella, Corey Bentke and fiance Sarah Peevler, and Colleen Bentke, and great-grandchildren Austin and Aaden Honeycutt and Madison and Bailey Rogers. Also surviving are brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Alma Place, Raymond and Verna Mae Bentke, Ervin and Jo Schultz, Rosie Bentke, Donna Bentke, and Dorothy Bentke, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Christine is preceded in death by her husband, her biological parents, her adopted parents, her daughter-in-law, Shelby Bentke, her sister and brother-in-law Ramona and James Bohannon, brothers Harold Flentge, Edmond Flentge, and Albert Flentge, Jr., and her brothers and sisters-in-law, Alvin and Leona Flentge and Willie and Laverna Flentge.; Brothers-in-law Alfred Bentke, Glenn Bentke, Bill Bentke, Herman Bentke; sisters-in-law Ida Kaechler and Lois Ruemke; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Herman Sr. and Emma Bentke. Special thanks to Tarasha Meredith, Beverly Schlabach, and Hospice Brazos Valley. Your unwavering care and support was greatly appreciated. Serving as pallbearers are Richard Bentke, Ryan Bentke, Sean Meadows, Corey Bentke, Michael Bentke, and Carl Flentge. Funeral services for Christine Bentke are scheduled for 10 a.m., Monday, August 10, 2015 at St. John''s Lutheran Church in Prairie Hill, with Pastor Jim Abbott officiating. Burial will take place in Prairie Hill Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for 5:00 until 7 p.m. Sunday evening at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Memorials may be directed to St. John''s Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill. Funeral arrangements for Christine Bentke are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham.