Viola Bennett

Viola May Lehman Bennett

October 7, 1928 ~ February 16, 2018

Viola “Vi” May Lehman Bennett, 89, entered paradise on Friday, February 16, 2018.

She was born on October 7, 1928 to William F. Lehman and Laura L. Perkins in Murray, Utah. She joined an older brother and older sister, and later welcomed a younger sister.

Vi grew up in Granger, Utah, a place she loved and had many good friends; and attended school at Monroe School and Granite High.

She worked at Dun and Bradstreet after high school and then served an LDS mission in the Northern States Mission in 1950-1951. She then worked at Chicago Bridge until she married Reed W. Bennett, her one true love, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on March 19, 1953 (later divorced after 27 years). They had six children together and enjoyed living in Germany for 20 months, and traveling in Europe and the US. They lived in many cities and moved to Fresno, California in 1971. She returned to Syracuse in 1992 after she retired. Syracuse was always “home”.

Mom spent many years as a homemaker, worked at RC Willey, Syracuse City, Cartan’s, and California Eye Institute. She worked as a caterer at the White House Reception Center.

Vi was active in the LDS Church all of her life, serving in many leadership positions including Relief Society President on two different occasions; Primary President; on the Primary Board in the Laotian Branch in Fresno; and in the Young Women. She loved her years serving as a temple ordinance worker in the Ogden Temple from 1997 to 2005. She was famous in the Fresno Fifth Ward for her scones, which were a favorite at early morning seminary.

Vi had three special girlfriends, Grace, Bonnie and her Aunt Helen, who all welcomed her through the veil. They were “the girls” and got together to do each other’s hair, make bread, and travel. They went to Branson, Hawaii, New Orleans, and to St. George many times.

Mom was a caring and loving person. Her children and grandchildren were always the most special part of her life. She said life was a roller coaster and she enjoyed the ride, living and loving as she went.

Viola is survived her children Kelly (Brenda); Laurie Culbertson; Tamara (Bruce) Snow; Fredric (Tricia); Perry (Debbie); and Paula (Randall) Malan; 34 grandchildren; 60 great-grandchildren (two more on the way); five great-great-grandchildren; and her sister, Fran Haller. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother William, and sister Irene.

The family would like to sincerely thank Jacqui Bell and her staff at Seasons Assisted Living for the compassionate, loving care they provided to our Mom.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 23, 2018 at the Syracuse 2nd Ward, 2228 S. 1660 W. The family will greet friends Thursday, February 22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Lindquist’s Roy Mortuary, 3333 W 5600 S; and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the chapel.

Interment at Syracuse Cemetery, 1250 S 1000 W.