Jackie Bennett

Jackie Bennett, age 90, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at River Valley Health and Rehab in Redwood Falls surrounded by her family. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Interment will be in the Lakeview Cemetery in Two Harbors, MN in the veteran’s section. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Jackie was born on April 27, 1934 in Oakland, California to Paul and Birdena (Hull) Petersen. She was baptized in California and confirmed in Oregon at The Episcopal Church. She grew up in Oakland, California and Portland, Oregon. Jackie graduated from high school in 1952 in Portland. When she was 12, Jackie had rheumatic fever and was bedridden for a year. When she regained her strength, she sold her bike to buy her first dog, Heather, a collie. From then on, she was a big animal lover, particularly interested in dogs. For a while, she and her family raised Boxers and Brittany Spaniels. She loved her dogs, which brought her immense joy and inner peace. On March 12, 1953, she married Merlin “Ben” Bennett in California. They were blessed with three children: Paula, Scott, and Jane. Ben and Jackie lived in Belview, Two Harbors, and Redwood Falls during their life together. Jackie worked as a bookkeeper at Bakers Brothers car dealership, and then at JCPenney in Redwood Falls. She also held Tupperware Home Parties as a sales representative. Jackie enjoyed camping with her family and traveling with Ben when he was part of the Shriners. She was a member of the Eastern Star. She also enjoyed tending to her flower garden, sewing, and antiques.

Jackie is survived by her children: Paula (Jeff) Olson of Redwood Falls and Scott (Margie) Bennett of Bemidji; grandchildren: Michelle Gehrke of Belview, TJ Anderson of Edgerton, WI, Jessica Lawrence of Marshall, and Tara (Joe) Lindstrom of Bagley; great grandchildren: Tucker Madsen, Lucian & Fenton Gehrke, Aubrey & Raymond Recker, and Caleb, Joseph & Noah Lindstrom; and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Merlin “Ben”, daughter Jane Lawrence and brother Harry (Shirley) Petersen.