Leland Ray Bentley was born June 5,1949, the first child of Ilo and Gladys (Berg) Bentley at Ada, Minnesota. He died December 9, 2025 at the Veterans Hospital, Fargo, North Dakota with his wife Diane at his side. His early years were spent in Moorhead and Georgetown, Mn. In 1963 the family moved to Detroit Lakes. Lee graduated from Detroit Lakes High School with the class of 1967. For a short while he worked at Buy Rite, Detroit Lakes. He enlisted in the US Army in 1968 and served as a Military Policeman with the 284th MP Co, 18th MP Brigade at Long Binh, Viet Nam from 1969-1970. He married Diane Haspel Sept 6, 1969 at Fort Riley, Kansas. Following his discharge he worked for Audubon Coop Elevator. From 1971, to 1976 the couple lived in Minneapolis. During those years he worked for IDS and Mel Gettleman in security and construction/maintenance. In 1973 Lee and Diane purchased farm land near Ulen, Minnesota. Moving there in 1976 they established Rock Ridge Farm, a dairy and hay farm. After selling the dairy herd in 2002 Lee continued to work the land and engaged in handyman work. He retired in 2012. For 25 years he served as a volunteer on Ulen Rescue. Lee’s greatest pride and joy in life was seeing his children grow to adulthood and develop their careers and families.

Lee is survived his wife of 56 years, Diane, and his sons Jonathon, Shoreview, Mn, Lucas (Bobbi), Hawley, Jeffrey (Rebecca) Ulen, and daughter, Lauren Bentley, Ulen. Grandchildren, Roland Bentley, Columbia, South Carolina, Helen Bentley, Shoreview, Hannah (Micah) Aanerud, Morris, Justin Bentley, Hawley, Emma (Austin) Aranda, Hitterdal, Cole, Cade, and Eli Bentley, Ulen, Hunter and Tyler Jensen, Ulen.

Also surviving are his mother, Gladys Bentley of Hawley, brothers, Gregory (Nancy), Detroit Lakes, Ronald (Lynn), Shorewood, Jerry (Becky), Park Rapids, Jamie (Kim), Sabin, sisters Julie Hulne, Moorhead, Debra (Ryan) Wouters, Hawley, Dorine (Roger) Sorben, Deer Creek., Laurie Bentley, Hawley, brothers and sisters-in-law Susan (Ambrose) Beaudoin, Brooks, Roberta Haspel, Barnesville, Sharon (Duane) Pihlaja, Osage, Kenneth (Lori) Haspel, Detroit Lakes, Charles (Danell) Haspel, Detroit Lakes, Mary (Roger Jarecki) Olson, Omaha, Nebraska, Joanne (Donnie) Mastin, Osage, Michael (Brenda) Ottertail, Mark (Debra) Richville, Brenda (John) Seley, James (Kim Blauert) Haspel, Detroit Lakes, Wanda (Tony) Bissell, Denver, Colorado and David Haspel, Detroit Lakes, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Leland is predeceased by his father, Ilo Bentley, sister Jacqueline, his grandparents John and Julie Berg, Ingvald Bentley and Lydia Olsgaard, parents-in-law, William and Dorothy Haspel, brothers and sisters-in-law Ruth and Milton Nelson, William Haspel Jr., Kenneth Bergerson, Candance Haspel, nephews Adam Pihlaja and Matthew Olson, great nephew Jordyn Bentley.

Visitation at Wright Funeral Home, Hawley on Monday from 5-7pm with prayer service at 7 pm. 

Funeral service at Lysne Lutheran Church, rural Hawley at 11 AM Tuesday, with visitation one hour prior to service. Noon meal served following at the church. 

Per Lee’s wishes his ashes will be spread at Rock Ridge Farm at a later date. 

The family will direct memorials to organizations that Leland supported.