Eleanor Bentson, 2005 Inductee

In 1971, Eleanor and Ralph Bentson became Fountain Hills “pioneer property owners,” moving here full-time in 1978. An active Republican in Illinois, Mrs. Bentson served many terms as president of the Fountain Hills Republican Club and founded the Fountain Lake Federated Republican Women’s Club. She has held many local and state committee positions, assisted the County in recruiting election workers, served as a local election judge and deputy registrar for Maricopa County, and remains a long time District #8 state committeewoman. A tireless volunteer for many organizations, she has served as: Sunrise Kiwanis President, Civic Association board member, Fountain Hills Women’s Club member, three-time incorporation committee member and local elementary school mentor. A Noon Kiwanian, she has managed the Chamber of Commerce’s Visitor’s Center for 17 years, coordinated the Art Festival’s Purple People volunteers for 12 years, and was instrumental in establishing the community’s first museum in the Chamber Visitor Center at Fountain Park