Marian Mae Bennett, 90 years of age, of Bertrand, Nebraska, passed away on Monday, July 3, 2017 at the Bertrand Nursing home in Bertrand. Marian was born November 4, 1926 at Bertrand, Nebraska to Fred H. and Elsie E. (Walters) Grafe. She attended school in Bertrand for 12 years, except for six months when she attended school at Hermisten, Oregon while her Dad was employed there. Marian was baptized at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bertrand on June 25, 1943 by Pastor Matuschka.

On February 12, 1944, she was united in marriage to Claude Bennett and the couple were blessed with three children: Larry, James and Jeannette. The family made their home in Bertrand, where Marian lived most of her life. Claude passed away on December 25, 2008.

Marian was employed at the Bertrand Café for 8 years for Nick Howitt, then at the Brewster Hospital in Holdrege, Nebraska, for 15 years where she worked as an aide for 10 years on the floor, followed by 5 years as an allergy tech and in physical therapy. She then joined her husband in their mechanic shop, where she was the secretary for 18 years. During this time, she also worked several part-time jobs which included Ralph Holmquist and Harold Rimpley at their grocery stores, at the Bertrand Nursing Home for Marie Larson and served as a visitation hostess for the Sandstrom Funeral Home in Bertrand.

She was an active member at Hope Lutheran Church, where she served as President of the E.L.C.W., taught Sunday school several years, was Secretary of Sunday school for two years, was active in the church circle and was treasurer for E.L.C.W. for two years. She was also active with the Holdrege and Bertrand blood mobiles, served on the Housing Authority as secretary and chairman, was the treasurer of the V.F.W. Auxiliary for many years, and was also active in A.O.B.F. Club beginning in 1948 until it dissolved.

Besides her parents, and husband, Claude, she was preceded in death by: granddaughter, Yvonne Bennett; a brother and sister in infancy; sister, June Stehl and her husband, Vernon; brother, Delmar Grafe; brothers-in-law: Stan Marshall, Frank Bennett and his wife, Della, Roy Bennett and his wife, Leona, Harold Bennett and his wife, Virginia; and sister-in-law, Grace Miller and her husband, Glen.

She leaves to celebrate her life; two sons: Larry Bennett and his wife, Joy, James Bennett and his wife, LaDonna; one daughter, Jeannette Nelson and her husband, David all of Bertrand; 9 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; one sister, Dorothy Marshall of Omaha; one sister-in-law, Virginia Grafe of Bertrand; and several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Funeral Services for Marian M. Bennett will be conducted from the Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield, Nebraska on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Tim Glendening, officiating. Interment will be in the Highland Cemetery at Bertrand, Nebraska. The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.