Norma “Jean” Bennett, age 82, of Miles City passed away on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at the Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City.
Jean was born in Glendive, Montana on November 5, 1929, the daughter of Donald and Beatrice (Haines) McLeod. After the death of her father she moved with her mother and two sisters to a farm near Sanders, Montana in 1937. Jean attended school at Sanders through the eighth grade. She graduated from high school at Hysham in 1947. On September 6, 1947, Jean and Clarence Bennett were united in Marriage. They made their home in Harlowtown for a short time before moving to Miles City. Jean and Clarence were blessed with four sons. In 1952, at the age of 22, Jean was stricken with polio. She spent about six weeks in the iron lung. She then spent several months at Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena for physical therapy. The therapy helped with movement of her arms but she was confined to a wheelchair. Jean loved to read and learn. In 1981, Jean went to college at Miles Community College. She took classes for computers and office management.
Jean enjoyed knitting, crocheting, reading, artex painting and working daily crossword puzzles in the newspapers. She enjoyed playing cards. She would tease her son’s wives they weren’t part of the family until they learned to play pinochle. In the spring and summer months, Jean would spend hours in her garden enjoying the beautiful flowers. Jean loved being with and talking to people. If you stopped by Jean’s home, you would be there longer than planned. Jean made you feel welcome. She was known to many as Mom or Grandma Jean.
Jean is survived by two sisters: Betty Milmine of Sanders, MT; and Donalene McLeod of Miles City, MT; her children: Larry (Lynn) Bennett, Dale Bennett, Earl (Laura) Bennett and Lyle (Darcy) Bennett all of Miles City; grandchildren: Larry Ed, Donald, Dyna, David, Emily, Misty and Wyatt; seven great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many unofficial adopted kids and grandkids. Jean was preceded in death by her husband Clarence, her father Donald McLeod, mother Beatrice Freestead, step father Henry “Daddy Hank” Freestead, and two brothers David and Roger Freestead.
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 18, 2012 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Family Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday June 18, 2012
Stevenson Funeral Home-Miles City
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday June 19, 2012
Stevenson Funeral Home-Miles City
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
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Vonnie Horan says
My thoughts and prayers are with your family! I loved visiting with you while I worked! I looked forward to visiting with you! I know it has been a long time since I worked there but I missed visiting with you! R.I.P.
Betty Bratlie says
Jean you will be missed.. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
bud biery says
our thoughts and prayers are with you all Aunt Jean will be greatly missed Geneva,Bud, and Kathy Biery
Kelly Tarr says
What a great woman with such inner strenth. I admired her very much. My thoughts and prayers with you all.
Dianne Frankforter Webster says
I’ve known Jean all my life and still remember how she loved to dance before she got Polio. She never let the fact that she was bound to a wheelchair stop her and she lived her life to the fullest. As well as being a remarkable artist she was a loving mother with a wonderful sense of humor that gave her her sparkle. She will be truly missed.
Marcia Heydt says
Although, I only knew Jean for a short while; Jean and my Mother shared a room at, Holy Rosary Extended Care. Jean always was joy to visit with and my Mom thought highly of her. Jean was so proud of her family and I wish peace and love to her loved ones. Sweet dreams, Jean.
lynn says
it was great to have known you.
Patti (Green) Ireland says
I have had the pleasure of seeing your mom whenever I visit Miles City to see my own mother in Extended Care (and now my father is there, too). I was there as recently as June 3rd, and once again enjoyed visiting with your mom. She was ever cheerful and pleasant, with such sweetness despite her crippled body. I’m sorry for your loss. I’m sure you will miss her.
Butch and Cathe Smith says
May your warm memories and good times be a source of comfort to you and your family during this dificult time…in deepest sympathy Butch,Cathe and Brandel Smith
Shona Ackman says
It was a great pleasure getting to know Jean and taking care of her at ECU. She was truely a remarkable woman. I will miss her everyday.
Stephani Schumacher-Daniels says
My condolences on the loss of your mother.
Take Care
Stephani Schumacher
Dave and Vickie Gunderson says
To Jean’s family, we are so very sorry for your loss. I have many fond memories of Jean and her family, as I grew up next to your family. Although we lost touch for many years, we did see Jean on several occasions the last few years. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Dave and Vickie Gunderson
Linda McLeod says
We are so sorry. We want you to know that our hearts go out to all of you and that we are thinking of you.
Larry and Linda McLeod
Billings MT
Ashley Hubbell says
It was a pleasure getting to know Jean. She will be greatly missed by all. Cherish your memories of her.
Julie Kaufman says
My favorite memory of your mom was when I carried her mail. She wanted to know why the young man (Steve Jacobs) didn’t wear shorts and show her his legs! I am sorry for your loss.
Casey & Cindy Phalen says
Cindy and I are thinking of you all. May God bless you through these hard times. All ways remember the good times.
Kristie 'Freestad' Brenden says
As I grow older, the memories and moments that I was able to spend with Aunt Jean are more precious. She was a courageous and inspiring woman that I miss and shall hold dearly in my heart for the rest of my life.
Mike Wallick says
To Earl and family,
My most sincere condolences to you on the loss of your mother. May God be with you and comfort you.
Karen Losing says
Dear Earl and Laura,
I’m so sorry about your loss of Jean. She was quite the lady and I know you’ll miss her a lot. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
R. Lewis says
I would like to extend my sympathies to the family of Jean. The death of a loved one can be very hard to deal with. Perhaps you can find some comfort in what Jesus said to the sister of Lazarus when he died. John 11:25 states, “Jesus said to her: ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He that exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life.'” I hope this message brings you some solace.
Donna Johnson Tebeau says
Larry, Dale, Earl, and Lyle and Families: I am so sorry to hear of Jean’s passing, your family was certainly a part of my life that holds some my fondest memories. I hold dearly the time that I spent at your house, the freindship that your mom and my mom had, and all the fun times we shared. Larry, it is because of you, that I still make popcorn in a pan on the stove top! You taught me well, and yours was always the BEST! I am sure Jean is flying with the angels, and having a good reunion with your dad, and Grandma Bennett, and her other family members. Hugs to all of you, and peace be with you at this difficult time. Donna
emily bennett says
Grandma i miss u so much i wish u were still around.
emily bennett says
Grandma i wish you could see how much Misty and Wyatt and i have grown up. I am still holding on to the memories with you in your house. Brianna is also remembering the good times.
Emily Bennett says
Its hard with you not here with me graduating in May and I remember all of the good times with you and when I am playing tennis or sitting in class I can tell you are around me.
I LOVE YOU Grandma Jean
Emily says
Grandma I wish that you could have got to meet your great grandson he is starting to be a talker just like his mother. The day he was born I was wishing that you could have came down to where I was and saw him. It’s hitting me hard that you aren’t here. I Love You Grandma Jean . I think of you every single day and think to myself I am sure lucky I got to know you as well as I did. I miss you grandma.