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William H. Bense, Jr.,   Age 84
Visitation Location: First Presbyterian Church, St. Cloud, MN
Visitation Date/Time: Saturday, July 27, 2013 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM
Funeral Time: Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 11:00 AM
Funeral Location: First Presbyterian Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota
Burial Location: Oak Hill Cemetery, Sartell, MN
   
    WILLIAM “BILL” H. BENSE, JR., 84
    St. Cloud
    September 15, 1928 ~ June 14, 2013
    
     William “Bill” Herman Bense, Jr., age 84, St. Cloud, MN, died Friday, June 14, 2013 in Mesa, AZ.
     Funeral services will be Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church, 373 4th Ave. S., St. Cloud, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Sartell, MN. Funeral arrangements by Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, MN.
     Bill was born September 15, 1928 in St. Cloud, MN to William C. and Irena (Spaude) Bense, Sr. He graduated from St. Cloud Technical High School in 1946 and St. Cloud State Teachers College in 1949. Bill received his MS Degree in 1955. He was employed as the music director at Sauk Rapids High Schools from 1950 to 1986. Bill was also the Chancel choir director at First Presbyterian Church from 1962 until May of 1986 when he retired. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and served as elder and clerk of Session. Bill was a member and officer of the Sauk Rapids Lion’s Club, member and officer of St. Cloud Executives Club, chairman of Benton County Red Cross, member and state chairman of American School Band Director Association, member and chairman of St. Cloud State Phi Delta Kappa.
     Bill married Jean Marie Wylie on April 17, 1949 at Sartell Presbyterian Church. This union was blessed with two children, Deborah Jean and William James III. Bill and Jean enjoyed their family very much and both enjoyed traveling, reading and spending their summers at Velvet Beach, Brainerd, MN and the winters in Mesa, AZ.
     Bill thoroughly enjoyed music. During his high school and college years he was called upon to play taps for the fallen soldiers. During his years in Arizona he belonged to three bands and enjoyed playing concerts in all of them.
     Survivors include his wife, Jean Bense, sister, Joyce Nuernberg; niece, Susan (Greg) Pawelk; great nephews, Eric and Joel Pawelk; nephews, Roland (Paula) Karjalahti and Rick (Connie) Karjalahti; and great nieces Erika and Katie Karjalahti.
     He was preceded in death by daughter, Deborah Jean on March 27, 2010, son, William James III on November 2, 2005, brother-in-law, Charles Nuernberg, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Wally and Janice Karjalahti.
     Memorials are preferred to First Presbyterian Church or the charity of your choice.
 
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