JENNISON, Margaret Rose (Benson) 1912-2008

JENNISON, BENSON, SEAVY, JENKINS, YAGER, ELLIOTT

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 3/11/2012 at 13:45:32

Margaret Rose (Benson) Jennison –May 12, 1912—June 15, 2008

Margaret ‘Gie’ Jennison

RICEVILLE — Margaret “Gie” Jennison, 96, of Riceville, died Sunday (June 15, 2008) at the Riceville Family Care Facility.

Memorial Services will be held at 9 a.m., Saturday, June 21, 2008 at the Welcome Center in Riceville, followed by a 10:30 a.m. Mass at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Riceville officiated by Father Atwood.

Margaret Rose (Benson) Jennison was born May 12, 1912 in Riceville, the daughter of John “Jack” Benson and Anne (Seavy) Benson. She was united in marriage to Lloyd Jennison on August 19, 1927.

Gie entered a life of farming and raising a family on the Jennison Family farm. There she raised seven children while farming at her husband’s side during the Great Depression. For several years she also drove the school bus for the Jamestown Township.

In 1967, Gie and her husband, Lloyd, purchased the Burke Hotel in downtown Riceville, renaming it the Jennison Inn. They operated the hotel and dining establishment until retirement in 1977. Hundreds of locals and visitors were seated in the spacious dining room or cozy front snack bar for home cooked meals and hot coffee. After retirement, the Jennison Inn became the gathering place for her large and boisterous family and her many friends. There she reigned over activities with an iron will, a grand sense of humor, and frequent ‘9 no trump’ or higher bids. Gie enjoyed all music and the many, many family sing-alongs over the years. In earlier years, she also enjoyed producing variety shows for the Riceville community.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her siblings, and three of her children: Anne Irene, Jean Jenkins, Charles Jennison and two sons-in-law, Keith Yager and Tom Jenkins.

She is survived by her children: Mary Yager of Riceville; Jane (Darald) Elliott, of Osage; James “Sam” (Maureen) Jennison, of Burlington; Steve (Carol) Jennison of Littleton, CO.; and daughter-in-law, Laura Jennison, of Riceville. She will be greatly missed by 22 grandchildren, and over 52 great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Memorials may be given to the Riceville Food Pantry, the Elf Shelf in Riceville, or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Conway Funeral Home, 641-985-2797.

Globe Gazette, Tuesday June 17, 2008