Claude Parsons Bennett, 86 years of age, of Bertrand, Nebraska, passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2008 at the Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege, Nebraska. Claude was born June 20, 1922 at Alliance, Nebraska, the fourth of five children born to Arthur LeRoy and Mabel (Parsons) Bennett. At a young age he moved with his family to Holdrege, where Claude received his primary education. Then the family moved to Bertrand, where Claude graduated from Bertrand High School with the class of 1941. Following his education, Claude began a lifelong career as an Auto Mechanic. On February 12, 1944 he was united in marriage to Marian Mae Grafe at Phillipsburg, Kansas and to this union three children were born: Larry and twins: Jeannette and James. The family made their home in Bertrand, where Claude was employed by Earl Canada and Leland Anderson. Later he was employed as a mechanic in Holdrege until he began to operate his own mechanic shop, Bennett's Repair in 1972 until his retirement in 1991. He then worked at the Hi-Line Golf Course at Bertrand as the Marshal until 2003.

He was a member of the Hope Lutheran Church and member of the Bertrand Volunteer Fire and Rescue, serving as Fire Chief for several years. Claude loved playing golf, enjoyed hunting and fishing, playing pool with his friends and spending time with his family.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Marian of Bertrand; two sons: Larry Bennett and his wife, Joy and James Bennett and his wife, LaDonna; one daughter, Jeannette Nelson and her husband, David all of Bertrand; nine grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; four step grandchildren; three sisters-in-law: Leona Bennett of York, Nebraska, Virginia Grafe of Bertrand, and Dorothy Marshall and her husband, Stan of Omaha, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Yvonne Bennett; three brothers: Harold, Frank and LeRoy Bennett; and sister, Grace Miller.