John Bettendorf

John C. Bettendorf, Jr., age 66 of Sauk Centre, died Sunday, November 22, 2009 at Fairview University Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 25 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Todd Schneider officiating. Interment will follow in St. John's Cemetery in Foley, Minnesota.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 8 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be held at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday evening.

John Charles Bettendorf, Jr. was born February 12, 1943 in St. Cloud, Minnesota to John and Helen (Gondeck) Bettendorf. He was united in marriage to Mary Louise Templin on July 25, 1964 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Buckman, Minnesota. He worked for the State of Minnesota in corrections and later with the Department of Public Safety. John was a sacristan at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. He loved the Lord and was very devoted. John was very opinionated and had a strong belief in his Catholic faith; he believed with his whole heart.

John was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church. He loved trains, traveling, and genealogy. He enjoyed working on his projects which usually involved constructing things, especially stained glass and landscaping. John believed in taking his time with his projects, and made sure that they were done right. He also enjoyed camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and took many trips there. He volunteered for the Boys Scouts of America for many years. In his spare time, John loved reading and putting puzzles together.

John is survived by his wife, Mary Bettendorf of Sauk Centre; children, John Charles Bettendorf, III of Sauk Centre, and Teresa (Robert) Straka of Platteville, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Alicia Lynn Lorentz, Brie Straka, Brena Straka, and Charles "C.J." Straka; brothers and sisters, Kathryn (Butch) Ryan of Amery, Wisconsin, Jim Bettendorf and friend, Pat of Brooklyn Park, Margaret (Terry) Morris of Park Rapids, Gerald (Linda) Bettendorf of Foley, Gerard Bettendorf of Foley, Mary (Dave) Zlock of Lakeville, and Charles (Chris) Bettendorf of North Branch; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

John was preceded in death by his parents; and nephew, Patrick Ryan.

Serving as casket bearers will be his brothers and sisters, Kathryn Ryan, Jim Bettendorf, Margaret Morris, Gerald Bettendorf, Gerard Bettendorf, Mary Zlock, and Charles Bettendorf. Cross bearer will be Brie Straka and scripture bearer will be Brena Straka. Honorary bearers will be Colonel Jeff Templin, Joe Henry, Emma Thomas-McGinnis, Mary Lynn Fredrick, Monica Hartman, and Lexi Zlock.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Central Minnesota LifeCare Center in Sauk Centre, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, Sauk Centre Chapter, and the American Heart Association.