Grace Hanel Bennett

Although the trumpets of Heaven are rejoicing, we are mourning the loss of our precious mother, Grace Hanel Bennett. Just as she had wished, she passed away peacefully with her children by her side on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, in the home where she had lived for more than 60 years.

Grace was the daughter of Iva Williamson and Louis Bell. Her siblings were Donald Bell, Icel Bell and Evelyn Bell-Stanger who all preceded her in death. She was born in Murtaugh and raised in the Twin Falls area, where she met and married Izzy Hanel. Three children were born to this union: Phil Hanel (who preceded her in death), Dennis Hanel, and Terry (Chip) Carlson. She was blessed with three granddaughters: Becky Hanel, Trina (Mike) Dreher and Shawna Hanel (Brian Marht) and the love of her life, her great-granddaughter, Allynn Grace. She also had two stepdaughters, Pam Bennett and Dixie (Larry) Anderson and their children.

Izzy passed away on Nov. 12, 1966. She later met and married Dean Bennett Nov. 3, 1973. Dean was a wonderful father and grandfather to Grace’s children and grandchildren. They spent 14 happy years together before Dean passed away in December of 1986.

Grace enjoyed working for several years at First Federal Savings and Loan in Twin Falls and after her retirement, she began spending her winters in Hemet, Calif., so she could continue golfing even through winter months. Golfing was her passion in life. She traveled in and out of the state to several golf tournaments and made wonderful new friends in the process. To all of you that were lucky enough to have met and golfed with Grace, understood her love for the sport and that she cherished all of your friendships. At one time Grace was president of the Ladies Golf Association at the Jerome Country Club and held several other positions in Ladies Golf both in Twin Falls and Jerome.

While in Hemet one winter in the ’90s, she met a wonderful Canadian friend and partner Harold Olson who shared her love of dancing and the outdoors. Harold was such a good, kind gentleman and they had wonderful times together. He treated her children as his own and his family became a part of our lives for many years. Sadly, Harold passed away in December of 1999.

She was an active member of the Lady Elks for many years. She loved to bowl and play cards. Grace was a great Gin and Bridge player and was hard to beat at either game. She loved to watch tennis and football and always screamed the loudest. Grace loved to travel and took several cruises including trips to Europe and the Far East.

Grace was a fun loving, vivacious, very active Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Aunt and a special friend to many. She was always the first to laugh and most times was the “life of the party.” She had a great sense of humor and was the instigator of mischievous good times. She was a “hoot” always joking with her children who each thought that they were “her favorite.”

Goodbyes are not forever.

Goodbyes are not the end.

They simply mean I’ll miss you

Until we meet again……

We will miss you sweet mother!

There will be a viewing from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, at White Mortuary. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at White Mortuary with graveside services to be held at Sunset Memorial.