Mark Edward Bent, 63, Surrey died on Sunday, July 16, 2017 in a Minot hospital.

Mark was born on May 16, 1954 in Cherry Point, NC to Paul and Dorothy (Ryan) Bent. Due to his father's involvement in the U.S. military he was reared and educated at various places in the U.S. and spent his high school years at the El Torro Marine Base in California and graduated from Eureka High School in 1972.

Mark married Violet Hill on December 8, 1973 in Oakland, CA. Mark enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on January 19, 1974. They made their home at various air force bases near Biloxi, MS; Yokota, Japan; Mountain Home, ID; Edwards AFB, CA; Okinawa, Japan and Minot, ND. He served as a navigation aide technician, parachute rigger and scheduled flights for aircraft. He was accorded two Air Force Commendation Medals and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. Mark received his honorable discharge on May 21, 1989 and his family resided in Eureka, CA for three years. They returned to Minot in 1992 where he was employed at the Dakota Square Mall for five years, Trinity Hospital, as a courier, for two years and Menards, as a floor covering salesman, for seventeen years. A medical disability forced his retirement in 2015. Most recently, he had resided near Surrey since 2009.

Mark was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where he was an Elder and High Priest at the time of his death. He especially enjoyed woodworking and fishing in his free time.

Mark's loving family includes his wife of 43 years Violet; children: James (Laura) Bent of Fargo, Benjamin (Lisa) Bent of Minot, Daniel (Lyndee) Bent of Layton, UT and David Bent stationed with the U.S. Marine Corps in Japan; grandchildren: Ryan, Michelle, Christine and Leah; siblings: Sandra Fredrickson, Live Oaks, CA and Pete (Charlotte) Bent, Gresham, OR and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, son, Michael and brother, Paul.

Celebration of the Life of Mark Bent: Friday, July 21, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Address: 3740 Crossing St. SW, Minot, ND, 58701).
Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens - Minot.
Visitation: Thursday from 3:00 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
In lieu of plants and flowers memorials are preferred.