Bennett, Lyman "Etta" 1864-1937

BENNETT, WAKEMAN

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/4/2015 at 18:16:26

DEATH OF MRS. D. K. BENNETT

Mrs. D. K. Bennett, of Chatsworth, one of the Big Sioux valley’s most widely revered women, passed away at 6 o’clock Thursday evening, August 5, 1937, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. M. O. LARSON, OF Alton, where she had been cared for during the past seven weeks.

Mrs. Bennett had been ill with an incurable malady for the past year and a half. A year ago in march she submitted to an operation, but obtained only temporary relief. Her condition became progressively worse and much of the time she suffered intensely, but through it all she remained outwardly cheerful and bore her affliction with the utmost, fortitude, her constant thought being of the welfare of her loved ones. The end came as a sweet release from her long months of suffering.

Funeral services were held at her late home in Chatsworth at 1:30 Saturday afternoon and at 2 o’clock at the Methodist church in Hawarden, conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. G. Waterman. A ladies’ quartet composed of Mrs. Nellie Wood, Mrs. W. S. Weaver, Mrs. Harry Swift and Mrs. John Swanson, with Mrs. Earl Slife as accompanist, sang. Interment was made in the Akron cemetery, where her husband was laid to rest only last December.

The Hawarden chapter of the eastern Star had charge of the service at the grave and Mrs. Mildred Anderson, worthy matron, very beautifully sang “Now the day is Over.”

Lyman Etta Wakeman was born at Cross River, N. Y. February 27, 1864, and passed away at Alton, Iowa, August 5, 1937, at the age of 73 years, 5 months and 8 days. In 1866, when only 2 years of age, she came to Union county, S. D., southwest of Chatsworth, with her parents who homesteaded there, traveling by ox team from Omaha to Union county. There her girlhood was spent and she was united in marriage on March 15, 1881, with David Knox Bennett. They farmed the old Wakeman homestead until 1894 when they purchased a farm of their own, a mile northwest of Chatsworth, in Sioux county, onto which they moved and where they remained until 1903 when they moved to Chatsworth, which has since been the Bennett home.

Thus for 71 years Mrs. Bennett made her home within a small circumscribed area in the Chatsworth community and during this period was intimately identified with, the social, cultural and religious life of the community. She united with the Methodist church at Akron in 1905, later transferring her membership to the Chatsworth church after its establishment. She ever took an active interest in the affairs of the church and was particularly concerned with the welfare of the Sunday school, serving for years as superintendent and as a teacher of Sunday school classes. Even after the church at Chatsworth was discontinued she continued to conduct regular Sunday school classes.

She also took an active part in the work of various fraternal organizations. She united with the Order of Eastern Star at Akron in 1893 and in 1902 served as worthy matron of the Akron lodge. Later she transferred her membership to Hawarden and served as worthy matron of the lodge here in 1912. She was also actively identified with the Royal Neighbor lodge in Chatsworth.

Endowed with a genuine neighborly spirit, Mrs. Bennett was known widely for her good works. Wherever sorrow or affliction descended she was ever ready to lend a helping hand. She loved humanity and she shared the joys and sorrows of all those lives she touched. The Bennett home was ever one which radiated true hospitality and the enjoyment of these associations was only exceeded by the love and devotion which she showered upon the members of her immediate family.

The death of Mr. Bennett on December 1st last was a severe blow to her and she looked forward longingly to the time when she might join him in death. The example of her life and good works will long be cherished by hundreds of people who knew and loved her.

She was the mother of 10 children, six of whom are living. The children are: A. L. Bennett, of Laurens, Iowa; Mrs. G. E. Van Allen, of Huron, S. D.; L. C. Bennett, of Wilmington, Delaware; Mrs. Orrin Harris, of Akron; Mrs. MO. O. Larson, of Alton and Kenneth Bennett, at home. There are nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. She is also survived by two half-brothers, George and Frank Wakeman, both of Akron.

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, August 26, 1937
Akron, Iowa