Lois Bennett, 81, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend passed away Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at St. Peters Hospital after a brief illness.
Lois was born August 30, 1934, to Marcus and Kay Opitz in Sisseton, South Dakota. She attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse in South Dakota before her family moved to Helena in the mid 1940s where she attended school at the Cathedral of St. Helena, later graduating from Cathedral High in 1952.
After high school, she worked for Mountain Bell “The Telephone Company” as a secretary, confidential stenographer, supervisor, and telephone operator. During her working years, she traveled all over the United States, visiting many of the 50 states.
On June 15, 1963, she married Bill Bennett and soon after, they started their family. Lois left the telephone company to stay at home and raise her seven children who were her pride and joy. She made them her life’s work, putting all of her energy into nurturing them. She encouraged and supported them in all of their endeavors. She didn’t miss a sporting event, a play, a recital, or any game of kick the can the neighborhood kids played. She constantly had a crocheting project in progress. She loved baking, and people would drop in when they smelled her homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, maple bars, or fry bread. A favorite pastime was playing cards with her family and friends. She was a collector of milk glass, angels, nuns, and friends. Beta Sigma Phi sorority provided her the opportunity to meet many people while helping others through service work. Her generous spirit was always willing to lend a hand. She volunteered in many capacities at St. Helena’s Cathedral, local schools, and wherever someone was in need.
Lois spent the last three years in assisted living at Aspen Gardens, and the family would like to thank them for the love they shared with Mom.
Lois was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her daughter Patty, her parents, and her brother Arnie. She is survived by her daughters and their families: Wilma and John Tabaracci, Katie, Ben, and Rob of Helena; Cindy Bennett of Dillon and her daughter Theresa and Nate Besich of Great Falls; Ann and Tim Tilton, Scotty and Alana of Helena; and Billie and Jeff Webb, Bridgette, Parker, and Kennedy of Yakima, Washington; her sons and their families: Mark and Laura Bennett, Walker, Drew, and Markie of Helena; and Steven and Abby Bennett, Cullen, William, and Murphy of Reno, Nevada.
She is also survived by her siblings Marlene (Bob) Simkins, Jean (Ken) Bongers, Don (Bev) Opitz, Ron (Carol) Opitz, Margie Opitz, numerous nieces and nephews, and one great grandchild arriving this spring.
Visitation will be held on Monday, February 22, 2016 from 10:00-3:30 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home 3750 N. Montana Avenue. A Rosary will be prayed following the visitation at 3:30 p.m. A vigil will be held at 4:00 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Helena, 530 N. Ewing St. with a reception to immediately follow in the Brondel Center of the Cathedral.
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m .
Monday February 22, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena , MT 59602
Rosary
3:30 p.m.
Monday February 22, 2016
Anderson Stevenson WIlke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena , MT 59602
Vigil
4:00 p.m.
Monday February 22, 2016
Anderson Stevenson WIlke Funeral Home
3750 N. Monmtana
Helena , MT 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday February 23, 2016
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing
Helena , MT 59601
Funeral Reception
Following Mass
Tuesday February 23, 2016
Brondel Center
530 N. Ewing
Helena , MT 59601
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m .
Monday February 22, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena , MT 59602
Rosary
3:30 p.m.
Monday February 22, 2016
Anderson Stevenson WIlke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena , MT 59602
Vigil
4:00 p.m.
Monday February 22, 2016
Anderson Stevenson WIlke Funeral Home
3750 N. Monmtana
Helena , MT 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday February 23, 2016
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing
Helena , MT 59601
Funeral Reception
Following Mass
Tuesday February 23, 2016
Brondel Center
530 N. Ewing
Helena , MT 59601
Share
Jan Sassano Funston says
To all of the Bennett family:
Sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was a dear friend of my moms. I even worked with her for a short while at the phone company.
She made many beautiful things. I have a crocheted throw she made for me many years ago. She taught mom how to crochet some complicated flowers for hats that mom and I made for moms granddaughters. She was very talented and kind. She will be missed.
Tom Naegele says
Dear Bennett and extended Family,
Prayers of sympathy and support are being said for you all. Lois gave a lot to her wonderful Family and neighbors. Mentoring and Mothering young and old. I thank the Good Lord for both Lois and Bill Bennett in my life and the entire extended Family over the years.
Dennis and Janel McCall says
Dear Bennett family, Please accept our sympathy for your loss of Lois. She was a very gracious and friendly lady. I can see her smiling now being together with Bill. Remembering all of you in our prayers.
Shannon Bright-Meyer says
Dear Bennett family, I was so sorry to learn of your mothers passing, it is so hard to lose a parent, please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless
Arlene Hull says
Thinking of you and your family. You are in our prayers.
Jeffrey Henjum says
Our prayers and thoughts are with the family.
Tom and Laurie Cullen says
Bennett Family,
So sorry for your loss of such a lovely women and mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Sending our love to you.
Jack and Marge Waugh says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Patti and Duane Edwards says
To Steve and all the Bennett family-
I am so sorry for you’re loss of your remarkable mom, grandma, sister and friend. Your are blessed to be raised by such a strong and devout woman. She raised you well, Steve and treated Brent like family too. My prayers are with you all.
Kathy Dunlap Fritz says
To Opitz and Bennett families,
I was sorry to hear of the passing of Lois. I went through school with Arnie and Ron and Lois was a sorority sister of mine. She was one of my favorite people. She truly loved her family. It was fun to be around the little Bennetts, as they were growing up. Lois was a strong, talented woman and she will be missed. My sympathy and prayers are with you all, at this difficult time.
Marge Breeden says
To all of Lois’s family:
We are so sorry to hear about her passing. She had many friends in Beta Sigma Phi and we will miss her laughter and smile at our luncheons. The beautiful memories you hold in your heart will remain with you forever. Wishing you peace and comfort at this sad time.
Houston family says
Bennett family: We are so sorry to hear of the loss of such an amazing woman. We have such great memories with a great family. Our baseball years together were truly some of the best! She will be missed. Hugs and prayers to all of you. RIP Lois.
Lois DeFord says
Lois’ family
Sincerest sympathy to all of you and your spouses.
Karen Borowiak says
Karen Borowiak says:
I have been blessed to have known Lois. She was my Beta Sigma Phi sister and dear friend.
My deepest sympathy to all of her family and other friends.
Tom and Glenda Anderson says
A beautiful lady. We were very sad to see that she had passed away. Our thoughts and prayers for comfort and peace.
Eileen Kneisly says
It is with great sadness hearing of your loss. Lois was such a wonderful friend and Beta sister. I shall always remember her giving us rhasberry jam ever year at Xmas and the fun at our gatherings.I have a yellow crochet bed cover with a rose in the center, she made for me when I was President.I shall cherish that forever. Blessings from West Virginia
Pat Asay says
I have known the Bennett’s and Tabs for a long time and I send my thoughts and prayers to everyone. From my family and the folks that John works with at Northwestern Energy, we hope that the pain of death is replaced with nothing but good memories, very soon.
God Bless you.
Pat Asay
Darlene Abeyta and Dennis Abeyta says
I sure am sorry for Lois . She was a nice lady. To all the family, I pray you will find peace in all the memories and keep her always in your hearts. God Bless.
Connie and Tim Ferriter says
Dearest Bennett family,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. She was a grand lady. She will be missed dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. God Bless
Ra lph Dixon says
Sorry to hear of Lois and the loss of your mother. she was a great friend and neighbor as the whole family is. My prayers are with all of you. Many good times and memories of the Bennetts.
Craig & Mary Jo Johnson says
We had the privilege of meeting Lois at Theresa & Nate’s wedding, so not much time to build memories. However, we have had lots of time to build wonderful memories with Cindy & Theresa. We’ve learned from them that Lois raised her family with love and encouragement, teaching them a strong work ethic and how to cherish their family’s times together! We see a closeness among the Bennett siblings that is a true testament to Lois & Bill “getting it right”!
Please know we have you all in our thoughts and prayers! Love, Craig & Mary Jo
Stephanie (Bicknell) Fantini says
Bennett Family,
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Your mother was so wonderful to all of us kids that were at the house, the neighbors house or at school (Broadwater, CR Anderson or Capital). She was amazing and raised amazing kids. Thank you for sharing such a great lady with anyone that knew her. Stephanie (Bicknell) Fantini (One of the Broadwater kids!)
Matt & Mary Kunnary says
Dearest Bennett family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. I remember your mother, she and I would play cards together, back in the day when all of our kids were younger. God’s blessings to your family. Our prayers are with you.
Matt & Mary Kunnary