Wyona Bennett

Wyona Ellen Bennett 94, died peacefully on August 13 at Prairieview Lutheran Nursing Home in Danforth, Illinois.

Wyona was the oldest daughter of Henry and Blanch (Perkins) Blasnitz.  She was born on December 16, 1919 in Jefferson, Iowa.

She graduated from Jefferson High School in the Class of 1939.  On June 15, 1941 she was united in marriage to H. Dale Bennett in Jefferson.  To this marriage was born one daughter, Cheryl.     Wyona was a homemaker all of her life except for during the war when Dale was stationed in California, she worked in a shell plant factory for a while.

Wyona and Dale farmed most of their lives in Greene County, until they retired to town in Jefferson.

Wyona loved nature especially flowers, birds and trees, and traveling.  Her favorite hobby was collecting rocks.  She collected many from her and Dales travels.  She and Dale traveled to almost all of the 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.  Of all the beautiful sites she had seen, she loved those in Colorado the best.  She was also an avid Iowa Hawkeye and St. Louis Cardinals fan, and loved cheering them on, even while living in Illinois.

Wyona is survived by her daughter Cheryl (Gene) Meyer of Watseka, IL; two granddaughters:  Gretchen Meyer of Watseka, IL and Cari (Mike) Meyer Heimer of Bakersfield, CA; one great granddaughter Rachel Brammer of Watseka, IL; one sister Marge Beecher of Jefferson; and numerous nieces; nephews; other relatives; and friends.

Wyona was preceded in death by her husband Dale, her mother and father, seven sisters, and four brothers.

Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home, www.sliningerrossowfuneralhome.com, 515-386-2171.