Marjorie Benner

Marjorie Benner, 89 of Bozeman, passed away on Wednesday, July 31, 2013. She was born in Dickinson, North Dakota to D.V. and Anna (Kukacka) Redmond on May 18, 1924. The family moved to Garrison, Montana when she was three years old and later to Forsyth, Montana where she grew up. She worked at her parents restaurant as a young woman. She met and married her best friend from the age of fourteen, Willie Benner. The high school sweethearts married on March 10, 1943. They raised their children in Forsyth and later moved to Billings. Marge and Willie became foster parents to twenty one children over a period of years, adopting their youngest daughter. Marge attended Eastern Montana College after her children were grown earning a Master's Degree in Special Education. She taught school for a time and later moved to Bozeman with Willie. She was a member of Holy Rosary Parish in Bozeman and belonged to the Foresters. She served as activities director at Mount View Nursing Home. Marge was an excellent piano player and loved to dance with her husband, be outdoors, hunting with Willie, hiking and gardening. She was game for any outdoors adventure. Many summers were spent camping, boating, and fishing in their motor home with family. She loved to write and had the honor of seeing one of her poems published. She was a wonderful homemaker for her family and was a skilled handiworker, doing crochet and embroidery. She loved to travel, enjoying a trip to her ancestral homeland of Ireland with her daughter and granddaughter. Marge loved life and made life a joy for her children and grandchildren. She canned, baked, made jams and jellies that were enjoyed be all. Marge was very gracious to all she met and will be remembered for her great love of family and friends. We treasure most the wonderful memories she has left us with. She did charity work spending a year in Phoenix with Mother Theresa's Mission with Willie. Marge was a faith-filled follower of her beloved Lord. Marge was preceded in death by her parents and four siblings; Don, Jim and Pat Redmond, and Carolyn Schiffer, and granddaughter Ondrea Benner. She is survived by her beloved husband; Willie, sons; Jim Benner, Gene Benner both of Great Falls, and Ken (Marie) Benner all of Bozeman, daughters; Kathleen (Gary) Nylund of Whitehall, Karen McCloney of Missoula, and Esther Benner of Bozeman, 19 grandchildren, Archie, Annette, Antoinette, Andrew, Aaron, Angela, Robin, Rick, Christi, Stacy, Jamie, Gene, Sonya, Serena, Brett, Israel, Gabe, Brandy and Travis, 50 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild, Marge called them her descendants. Her favorite charities were; St Jude's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105, Easter Seals, Easter Seals, 233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 2400 Chicago, IL 60606, and Mother Theresa Missions, 1406 S. 17th Avenue in Phoenix, AZ . Visitation will take place at 6PM on Sunday August 4 at Dahl Funeral Chapel followed by a Vigil Service at 7PM. A Funeral Mass will be at 11AM on Monday, August 5 at Holy Rosary Parish. Online Condolences may be made at www.DahlCares.com