Bennett, Barbara Jean (Mrs. Maurice Gene) 1933-2022

BENNETT, ANEMA

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting (email)
Date: 7/31/2022 at 15:24:16

Barbara Jean Bennett went to be with the Lord on May 21, 2022, at the age of 89. She died at home peacefully from COPD complications. She was born March 23, 1933, in Rock Valley, IA to Peter and Anna Anema and was the youngest of 5 children. She moved to Sioux City, IA in 1944. She graduated from Central High School in Sioux City in 1951.

She married Maurice Gene Bennett on October 19, 1951. Together they raised three children and spoiled many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They remained in Sioux City until settling in Edgerton, KS in 2003 to be near family.

Although Barbara taught Sunday school, was a Boy Scout Den Mother, and helped with Girls Scouts in her younger years, her delight was in being a homemaker and in spending time with her grandchildren. She was such a caring lady that you never felt uncomfortable in her home.

Once the grandchildren began to arrive, she was truly in her element. The best times of her life were when she got to care for her grandkids, many of whom she babysat for years. Everybody wanted to spend the night with Grandma Barbara and be spoiled. She played endlessly with them, taught them to befriend worms, pull out kitchen drawers to climb onto the counter, and to climb in and out of windows. She loved a good balloon/pillow/paper ball fight, even if it trashed her home. Her kindness didn’t stop with her own family but extended to every kid in the neighborhood. If you needed food, mittens, or a friend, you went to Barbara’s house.

The thing most people remember about Barbara is that she was so fun! Over and over again people have commented about how they laughed until they cried when they were with her. Her laugh was infectious and her belly would jiggle while she laughed just like Grandma Anema's. She was also a card shark and continued to trounce her family until shortly before she died.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two sisters and one brother.

Survivors include son Randy (Judy), son Martin, and daughter Amanda Keller (David). Six grandsons - Joshua (Sarah) Bennett, Cody Bennett, Rhys Keller, Ben Keller, Sam Keller, and Jurrien Keller. Three granddaughters – Penny (Dave) Edwards, Brittney (Lee) Adams, and Krista Bennett. Eight great-grandchildren – Aubrey, Wesley, Idella, Sylas, Amzie, Jasper, Carter, and Aiden. Sister – Marie Wiersma.

The family would like to thank the very special nieces who would call and visit her throughout her life.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Edgerton United Methodist Church, 300 E 4th St, Edgerton, KS 66021.

Source: Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home online obituary.