The following obituary was transcribed from page 1 of the July 22, 1948 
issue of the Millstadt Enterprise. 

Dies at Home of Son Here
Fred C. Bense, 84, father of Fred Bense, manager of the Millstadt Lumber Company, passed away 
Wednesday night at 9:30 at the home of his son. A long-time farmer of 
near Ruma, he was making his home here since last March.
The funeral will be held on Saturday afternoon, but the details have not been completed at this time. The 
remains are on view at the Dashner Funeral Home at Red Bud and the services will be conducted by Rev. 
Friedrichsmeyer, of the Lutheran church at Ruma, of which the deceased was a member. Interment will be 
in the Lutheran Cemetery in Ruma.
Mr. Bense was born in Germany on December 21, 1863. He came to this country at the age of 18. He was 
married in 1888 to Mrs. Louise Wicklein, who died in 1890. He was married a second time in 1892 to Miss 
Sophia Hachmeister in Ruma. She passed away in December, 1942.
Surviving are one son, Fred of here and two daughters, Mrs. August Wirth of Baldwin and Mrs. Victor Wirth 
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 grandchildren.