ARIMO - Idonna Merline Bennett was born March 30, 1925 in Pocatello, Idaho, to Richard Smith Bennett (1896-1941), of Horicon, Warren, New York, and Ada Marie Wheeler (1903-1989) Bennett Bower of Pocatello.
She was their second daughter. Her older sister, Mary Margaret Bennett, born Feb. 3, 1923, only lived five days; her second sister is Betty Marie Bennett (Earl) Romriell (1927-2003). Her brothers are Richard William (Lula Pearl) Bennett (1931-living) and Jay Earl (Judy) Bennett (1938-2010).
Idonna was raised in Inkom, Idaho, where she graduated from Inkom High School. As a petite high school senior she wore her youngest brother's Sunday suit to a costume party and was voted "Inkom's Most Eligible Young Man." Her "Daddy," who had been very ill for several years, died when she was 16. This left her as the Big Sister and her mother's closest confidante. This was a great challenge that touched her life forever.
Those Depression years were a real struggle for the family whose father was bedridden. In 1943, her mother remarried widower Elmer Bower - "Dad," who added three more siblings that she grew to love, George Elmer (Joan) Bower, Lavon (Basil) Hill and Monte Ray (Alice) Bower.
One of her great memories was picking raspberries for Bishop Cordon for extra personal funds. Those nickels and dimes bought fancy cloth flowers to decorate her hair. These definitely caught the young men's eyes.
One of those truly "Eligible Young Men" was Army Air Corps Staff Sgt. Orene L. Brower. Orene (a B-17 tail gunner) had recently returned from World War II and really looked sharp in his Air Corps uniform. They met at the 1945-1946 New Year's Eve dance, where he literally swept her off her feet when his snowy shoes hit the slick dance floor. They married in the Logan Temple on June 4, 1946, and after a dance reception in Lava Hot Springs, they caught the train and honeymooned in California.
Their home was blessed with two sons and two daughters: Elbert Richard (Fran) Brower (1947), Connie Marie (Bill) Jons (1949), Orene Lynn (Leisha) Brower (1955), and Debra Merline (Ted) Gambles (1961). This family grew and eternally bonded together. They enjoyed annual vacations, family reunions, hunting and fishing trips.
She especially enjoyed riding her horse and hunting. She annually tagged her deer, also a few elk and a moose. She hopes there are pine trees in heaven because she sure loved them here.
Idonna and Orene's best contribution to their children were the great examples they set for them. Their service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in ward and stake callings and in the temples were all noted and duplicated in the lives of their four children. All were married and are still married for time and for all eternity in temples.
Idonna and Orene were called to serve their mission in Ohio, Richard in Brazil, Lynn in Korea and Debra in Louisiana. Their 11 grandsons and nine granddaughters have thus far served 10 missions. Their two sons-in-law also served as did six of their grandchildren-in-laws. Now 54 great-grandchildren are talking of missions (Richard's 38, Connie's 11 and Lynn's 15 plus others to come as well as Debra's that are still in heaven.
Idonna's sweetheart passed away on March 7, 2000, leaving her alone for over 12 years. Idonna often said that death is doable as long as it is in the back pasture. But after several years of pain and struggle she could not do it any longer alone and returned to dance with her sweetheart on November 18, 2012.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 24, 2012, at noon in the Arimo LDS Stake Chapel. Friends may visit with the family on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Horlsey's Marsh Valley Funeral Home, 570 N. Meadowview Drive, and again on Saturday from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. at the church prior to the service.
Burial will follow in the Clifton Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Horsley's Marsh Valley Funeral Home.
Published in Idaho State Journal on Nov. 22, 2012
She was their second daughter. Her older sister, Mary Margaret Bennett, born Feb. 3, 1923, only lived five days; her second sister is Betty Marie Bennett (Earl) Romriell (1927-2003). Her brothers are Richard William (Lula Pearl) Bennett (1931-living) and Jay Earl (Judy) Bennett (1938-2010).
Idonna was raised in Inkom, Idaho, where she graduated from Inkom High School. As a petite high school senior she wore her youngest brother's Sunday suit to a costume party and was voted "Inkom's Most Eligible Young Man." Her "Daddy," who had been very ill for several years, died when she was 16. This left her as the Big Sister and her mother's closest confidante. This was a great challenge that touched her life forever.
Those Depression years were a real struggle for the family whose father was bedridden. In 1943, her mother remarried widower Elmer Bower - "Dad," who added three more siblings that she grew to love, George Elmer (Joan) Bower, Lavon (Basil) Hill and Monte Ray (Alice) Bower.
One of her great memories was picking raspberries for Bishop Cordon for extra personal funds. Those nickels and dimes bought fancy cloth flowers to decorate her hair. These definitely caught the young men's eyes.
One of those truly "Eligible Young Men" was Army Air Corps Staff Sgt. Orene L. Brower. Orene (a B-17 tail gunner) had recently returned from World War II and really looked sharp in his Air Corps uniform. They met at the 1945-1946 New Year's Eve dance, where he literally swept her off her feet when his snowy shoes hit the slick dance floor. They married in the Logan Temple on June 4, 1946, and after a dance reception in Lava Hot Springs, they caught the train and honeymooned in California.
Their home was blessed with two sons and two daughters: Elbert Richard (Fran) Brower (1947), Connie Marie (Bill) Jons (1949), Orene Lynn (Leisha) Brower (1955), and Debra Merline (Ted) Gambles (1961). This family grew and eternally bonded together. They enjoyed annual vacations, family reunions, hunting and fishing trips.
She especially enjoyed riding her horse and hunting. She annually tagged her deer, also a few elk and a moose. She hopes there are pine trees in heaven because she sure loved them here.
Idonna and Orene's best contribution to their children were the great examples they set for them. Their service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in ward and stake callings and in the temples were all noted and duplicated in the lives of their four children. All were married and are still married for time and for all eternity in temples.
Idonna and Orene were called to serve their mission in Ohio, Richard in Brazil, Lynn in Korea and Debra in Louisiana. Their 11 grandsons and nine granddaughters have thus far served 10 missions. Their two sons-in-law also served as did six of their grandchildren-in-laws. Now 54 great-grandchildren are talking of missions (Richard's 38, Connie's 11 and Lynn's 15 plus others to come as well as Debra's that are still in heaven.
Idonna's sweetheart passed away on March 7, 2000, leaving her alone for over 12 years. Idonna often said that death is doable as long as it is in the back pasture. But after several years of pain and struggle she could not do it any longer alone and returned to dance with her sweetheart on November 18, 2012.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 24, 2012, at noon in the Arimo LDS Stake Chapel. Friends may visit with the family on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Horlsey's Marsh Valley Funeral Home, 570 N. Meadowview Drive, and again on Saturday from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. at the church prior to the service.
Burial will follow in the Clifton Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Horsley's Marsh Valley Funeral Home.
Published in Idaho State Journal on Nov. 22, 2012
ARIMO - Idonna Merline Bennett was born March 30, 1925 in Pocatello, Idaho, to Richard Smith Bennett (1896-1941), of Horicon, Warren, New York, and Ada Marie Wheeler (1903-1989) Bennett Bower of Pocatello.
She was their second daughter. Her older sister, Mary Margaret Bennett, born Feb. 3, 1923, only lived five days; her second sister is Betty Marie Bennett (Earl) Romriell (1927-2003). Her brothers are Richard William (Lula Pearl) Bennett (1931-living) and Jay Earl (Judy) Bennett (1938-2010).
Idonna was raised in Inkom, Idaho, where she graduated from Inkom High School. As a petite high school senior she wore her youngest brother's Sunday suit to a costume party and was voted "Inkom's Most Eligible Young Man." Her "Daddy," who had been very ill for several years, died when she was 16. This left her as the Big Sister and her mother's closest confidante. This was a great challenge that touched her life forever.
Those Depression years were a real struggle for the family whose father was bedridden. In 1943, her mother remarried widower Elmer Bower - "Dad," who added three more siblings that she grew to love, George Elmer (Joan) Bower, Lavon (Basil) Hill and Monte Ray (Alice) Bower.
One of her great memories was picking raspberries for Bishop Cordon for extra personal funds. Those nickels and dimes bought fancy cloth flowers to decorate her hair. These definitely caught the young men's eyes.
One of those truly "Eligible Young Men" was Army Air Corps Staff Sgt. Orene L. Brower. Orene (a B-17 tail gunner) had recently returned from World War II and really looked sharp in his Air Corps uniform. They met at the 1945-1946 New Year's Eve dance, where he literally swept her off her feet when his snowy shoes hit the slick dance floor. They married in the Logan Temple on June 4, 1946, and after a dance reception in Lava Hot Springs, they caught the train and honeymooned in California.
Their home was blessed with two sons and two daughters: Elbert Richard (Fran) Brower (1947), Connie Marie (Bill) Jons (1949), Orene Lynn (Leisha) Brower (1955), and Debra Merline (Ted) Gambles (1961). This family grew and eternally bonded together. They enjoyed annual vacations, family reunions, hunting and fishing trips.
She especially enjoyed riding her horse and hunting. She annually tagged her deer, also a few elk and a moose. She hopes there are pine trees in heaven because she sure loved them here.
Idonna and Orene's best contribution to their children were the great examples they set for them. Their service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in ward and stake callings and in the temples were all noted and duplicated in the lives of their four children. All were married and are still married for time and for all eternity in temples.
Idonna and Orene were called to serve their mission in Ohio, Richard in Brazil, Lynn in Korea and Debra in Louisiana. Their 11 grandsons and nine granddaughters have thus far served 10 missions. Their two sons-in-law also served as did six of their grandchildren-in-laws. Now 54 great-grandchildren are talking of missions (Richard's 38, Connie's 11 and Lynn's 15 plus others to come as well as Debra's that are still in heaven.
Idonna's sweetheart passed away on March 7, 2000, leaving her alone for over 12 years. Idonna often said that death is doable as long as it is in the back pasture. But after several years of pain and struggle she could not do it any longer alone and returned to dance with her sweetheart on November 18, 2012.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 24, 2012, at noon in the Arimo LDS Stake Chapel. Friends may visit with the family on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Horlsey's Marsh Valley Funeral Home, 570 N. Meadowview Drive, and again on Saturday from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. at the church prior to the service.
Burial will follow in the Clifton Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Horsley's Marsh Valley Funeral Home.
Published in Idaho State Journal on Nov. 22, 2012
She was their second daughter. Her older sister, Mary Margaret Bennett, born Feb. 3, 1923, only lived five days; her second sister is Betty Marie Bennett (Earl) Romriell (1927-2003). Her brothers are Richard William (Lula Pearl) Bennett (1931-living) and Jay Earl (Judy) Bennett (1938-2010).
Idonna was raised in Inkom, Idaho, where she graduated from Inkom High School. As a petite high school senior she wore her youngest brother's Sunday suit to a costume party and was voted "Inkom's Most Eligible Young Man." Her "Daddy," who had been very ill for several years, died when she was 16. This left her as the Big Sister and her mother's closest confidante. This was a great challenge that touched her life forever.
Those Depression years were a real struggle for the family whose father was bedridden. In 1943, her mother remarried widower Elmer Bower - "Dad," who added three more siblings that she grew to love, George Elmer (Joan) Bower, Lavon (Basil) Hill and Monte Ray (Alice) Bower.
One of her great memories was picking raspberries for Bishop Cordon for extra personal funds. Those nickels and dimes bought fancy cloth flowers to decorate her hair. These definitely caught the young men's eyes.
One of those truly "Eligible Young Men" was Army Air Corps Staff Sgt. Orene L. Brower. Orene (a B-17 tail gunner) had recently returned from World War II and really looked sharp in his Air Corps uniform. They met at the 1945-1946 New Year's Eve dance, where he literally swept her off her feet when his snowy shoes hit the slick dance floor. They married in the Logan Temple on June 4, 1946, and after a dance reception in Lava Hot Springs, they caught the train and honeymooned in California.
Their home was blessed with two sons and two daughters: Elbert Richard (Fran) Brower (1947), Connie Marie (Bill) Jons (1949), Orene Lynn (Leisha) Brower (1955), and Debra Merline (Ted) Gambles (1961). This family grew and eternally bonded together. They enjoyed annual vacations, family reunions, hunting and fishing trips.
She especially enjoyed riding her horse and hunting. She annually tagged her deer, also a few elk and a moose. She hopes there are pine trees in heaven because she sure loved them here.
Idonna and Orene's best contribution to their children were the great examples they set for them. Their service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in ward and stake callings and in the temples were all noted and duplicated in the lives of their four children. All were married and are still married for time and for all eternity in temples.
Idonna and Orene were called to serve their mission in Ohio, Richard in Brazil, Lynn in Korea and Debra in Louisiana. Their 11 grandsons and nine granddaughters have thus far served 10 missions. Their two sons-in-law also served as did six of their grandchildren-in-laws. Now 54 great-grandchildren are talking of missions (Richard's 38, Connie's 11 and Lynn's 15 plus others to come as well as Debra's that are still in heaven.
Idonna's sweetheart passed away on March 7, 2000, leaving her alone for over 12 years. Idonna often said that death is doable as long as it is in the back pasture. But after several years of pain and struggle she could not do it any longer alone and returned to dance with her sweetheart on November 18, 2012.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 24, 2012, at noon in the Arimo LDS Stake Chapel. Friends may visit with the family on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Horlsey's Marsh Valley Funeral Home, 570 N. Meadowview Drive, and again on Saturday from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. at the church prior to the service.
Burial will follow in the Clifton Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Horsley's Marsh Valley Funeral Home.
Published in Idaho State Journal on Nov. 22, 2012
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