Ivan Bengtson

Ivan J. (Stub) Bengtson was born on a hot July day to Oscar and Gladys (Johnson) at the family home near Verona, NE. The weather was so hot the day he was born that their curtains caught on fire. Two years later, the family left the farm for a steady income in Trumbull, NE. Growing up in Trumbull, he learned the value of hard work and was shaped by a man affectionately known as Uncle Ivor Samuelson.

Besides working for the Samuelson family during his high school years, he participated in football, track, and his all-time love of basketball. Upon graduation, he attended Milford Technical School, where he continued to play basketball while learning the trade of carpentry, which would last a lifetime.

On September 18, 1960, Ivan married Glenna Brewer of Hansen, recently celebrating their 66th wedding anniversary. They made their home in Hastings, where Stub worked for Engle Construction and Dick Looye Construction, before starting Bengtson Construction in 1967. His entire life was centered around his business and ensuring that every job was done correctly and to his customers' satisfaction. He recently retired in May after 59 years because it was truly what he enjoyed doing. He outlived almost all of his friends, not because he was blessed with good health, but because his construction business gave him a reason and purpose to get up every day.

Ivan is survived by his wife Glenna

Daughter: Michele (Bill) Haas

Son: Craig (Denise) Bengtson

Grandchildren: Chase (Alyssa) Bengtson, Colton (Hailee) Bengtson, Nicole Haas

Great-grandchildren: Madelyn, Annabelle, and Tate Bengtson

Sister-in-law: Carole Bengtson

Several nieces and nephews as well as friends and customers

Ivan was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Gladys. 

Siblings: Carol (Swede) Bengtson, Rose Marie Justice, and Helen (Toots) Keiper. 

Brothers-in-law: Tom Brewer and Dr. Robert Keiper.