Delores “Dee” V. Bennett

Delores V. Bennett (Dee), 72, of Dyer, IN, passed away June 20, 2012. She was born February 18, 1940 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, the daughter of the late Wallace and Ethel Rau. Dee grew up on a dairy farm in Sheboygan Falls, WI and attended a one room grade school. She was the first in her family to attend college. Rumor has it that her father sold a few dairy cows to pay for her tuition to the University of Wisconsin. Dee graduated from University Of Wisconsin in 1962 receiving a BA degree in education. On June 15, 1963, she married Ralph E. Bennett III, who preceded her in death. They were happily married for over 46 years. Together they moved to Indiana and she was a home economics teacher in Chesterton. As the family grew, they moved to Dyer and she became a full time homemaker, mother, and seamstress. She made thousands of dresses, but none were more beautiful than her own wedding dress and those of her daughters-in-law.Nothing was more important to her than being a wife, a mother to her three sons and daughters-in-law, and grandmother to her three grandchildren. She loved life. She was early to rise and late to bed. She adored tending to her garden which was a great source of joy. She loved to travel and took memorable trips to China, Wales, Germany, France, Italy, and England but the most special were family trips back to the Rau farm. She kept in shape to be able to go sledding, ice skating, bowling, and riding the water slides with her grandchildren. Neighbors saw her out every morning for her walk/run or on her way to Curves. Last summer, she even decided to go horseback riding which she had not done in over 40 years. She loved playing Sheepshead with her family and Bridge with her friends and was a die-hard Wisconsin Badger and Green Bay Packers fan. Dee was a leader and active in her church. She also was active in the Calumet Chapter of Mended Hearts, an organization which helps patients and families who suffer from heart disease. She will be remembered for her unlimited energy for life, her selfless giving to others, her gorgeous garden, her beautiful sewing, her delicious cooking, and her award winning cherry pie.Dee is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Ralph and Claire Bennett of Ridgewood, NJ.; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Keri Bennett of San Francisco, CA; son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Kristie Bennett of Chicago, IL; grandchildren, Alyssa and Bryan Bennett of Ridgewood, NJ; Jeffrey (JB) Bennett Jr. of Chicago, IL; brother, Leroy Rau of Sheboygan Falls, WI and sister, Jeanette Counsell of Ft Myers, FL; brother-in-law Richard Bennett of Loudon, TN. Visitation will be held Saturday, June 23rd from 2-6pm at Kish Funeral Home, 10000 Calumet Avenue, Munster, IN 46321. Funeral service will be Sunday, June 24th at 3pm at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 2201 Azalea Drive, Highland, IN 46322.In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made in Dee’s memory to the Ralph E. Bennett Scholarship fund (http://www.crownpointcommunityfoundation.org/about/scholarship-funds.php ) which offers an annual scholarship for a student in need. To share a memory or send a condolence to the family, please visit the guestbook section on the obituary page at www.kishfuneralhome.net. For more information call 219-924-3333.