Joan M (Frost) Bentz

Joan M. Bentz passed away on the evening of May 28,2026 after a lengthy battle with heart failure.

Joan was the first baby born in 1960 at the Stayton, Oregon hospital as the first child of her parents Donna and Gregory Frost. Joan was later joined by two brothers and a sister. Joan attended St. Mary’s grade school and graduated from Regis High School all of Stayton. After Nursing School Joan would spend the rest of her life as a RN caring for “her” patients with care and love. She worked as a Floor Nurse, Charge Nurse, Director of Nursing Services, Office and Scrub Nurse. Her final role was in Occupational Health. She deeply cared for all.

Joan’s priorities were God, Family and Friends. She married Andrew Bentz in March of 1984 and together they started their family journey with Daughter Erin and Son Paul. She spent the rest of her life in Malheur County and made it home.

Joan loved her siblings and brothers and sisters-in-laws. She kept track of all the nieces and nephews and their little ones trying hard to never miss a birthday or other special event. Joan was the family nurse and caregiver always ready to help even if it was not wanted. She felt it was a privilege to care for Grandmother Ruth and Father-in-law Ken Bentz in their final years.

Holidays were her joy and filled them with family and friends, wanting them to be special for all. Her home and dining room table hosted many people, and no one ever went away hungry, her pies alone kept people coming back along with her loving hospitality.

Joan had a Grace and Strength not found in many. She faced aggressive breast cancer and treatments at 41 and heart failure starting in her later 50’s. Never a cross word, never a “why me” and she tried to never let it stop life.

She loved the water, to be in it or on it. She spent her teenage years water skiing with her family and later swimming daily in her own pool. Joan enjoyed traveling and was able to up until the last two years. She so enjoyed Cruising with Andy, family and friends over 30 years and loved every region she visited. Time spent on the Oregon Coast was always at the top of her list.

Her faith in God never wavered as a lifelong Catholic she understood her mission on this earth and tried to set the example of Love, Service and Hospitality for her family and all to follow. Not many of us are going to get to Heaven on a non-stop ticket without some layovers but our money is on no stops for Joan.

Joan is survived by her husband Andy, Daughter Erin and husband Christopher Anthony, Son Paul and wife Leanna Bentz. Grandchildren Hayden and wife Addison, Broden, Olivia Anthony, Lucas and Jacob Bentz.

Her Father Gregory Frost, Brother Russell and wife Cheryl Frost, Alan Frost and Sister Mary Lou Berry.

Brothers and Sisters-in-law Kathy and Jim Neal, Congressman Cliff Bentz and Dr. Lindsay Norman, Jim and Alicia Bentz, Ken and Debbie Bentz, Father Jack (John)) Bentz SJ and Linda Bentz and husband Rich Rice along with numerous nieces and nephews and their children.

Joan joins Her Mother Donna Frost, her Mother and Father-in-laws Ken and Anne Bentz, Brother-in-law Mike Bentz and all the Grandparents that have gone before her.

Funeral Mass will be held on the 11th of June 2026 at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Ontario, Oregon at 11:00 AM with the Rosary preceding it at 10:00 AM. A gathering and meal will follow in the Parish Hall.

LOVE - SERVICE – GRACE – STRENGTH

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