Vern L. Bennett, 78, passed away on Monday, November 30, 2009 at a local long term care facility. He was born on January 16, 1931 in Treasureton, Idaho to Clarence S. and Leah Bennett. He graduated from Preston High School in 1949.

He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He didn’t see any battle duty, but served his country well stateside. He often joked that he wouldn’t have seen a foreign place if the Army hadn’t sent him to Atlanta, Georgia.

He met Rhoda Butterfield at the Deleta Ball Room in Pocatello in July of 1953. In his words, “it was love at first sight.” They were engaged to be married three weeks later and married for time and eternity on October 1, 1953 in the Logan LDS Temple. They were blessed with three children.

He worked in the automotive industry as a parts manager for over forty years at various local businesses. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and spending as much time as possible with his family. Most of all, he loved being with his soul mate and eternal partner, Rhoda.

He was a member of the LDS West Stake 9th Ward and was very active in the church. He was ward clerk for many, many years.

He is survived by his wife, Rhoda Butterfield Bennett, of Pocatello; two daughters -- Linda (Murry) Larsen of Pocatello, Idaho; and Kathleen (Larry) Killian of Rigby, Idaho; four grandchildren – Kerry (Shelley) Larsen of Pocatello, Idaho; Patricia Hoggatt of Chubbuck, Idaho, Rachael and Saren Bennett of Chubbuck, Idaho; two great granddaughters, Emma Kate Larsen and Brianna Mae Hoggatt; and a daughter-in-law, Lisa Bennett of Chubbuck, Idaho. His only son, Randy V. Bennett of Chubbuck, Idaho, preceded him in death on August 17th of this year at the young age of 48. Dad missed Randy immensely and I know there was a joyous father/son reunion in Heaven Monday morning.

He is also survived by two brothers Alden (Dee) Bennett, of Bancroft, Idaho; David (Roslynn) Jeppesen, of Phoenix, Arizona; four sisters, Tariessia (Mario) Poletti of Blackfoot, Idaho; Gayle Peck of Chubbuck, Idaho; Georgia Champion of Irwin, Idaho; IvaLou (David) Oliverson of Whitehall, Montana; and many nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by his mother, father, two sisters and four brothers.

Since 2000, Vern and Rhoda participated in the Idaho State University Women’s Basketball Team Adoptive Grandparent Program. Vern loved participating in that great program and he loved his “adoptive granddaughters” almost as much as his real granddaughters. We all knew better than to schedule anything for days when there was a home basketball game.

He will be missed by all who knew him, but we know he will always be with us in our hearts.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2009, at the hour of 2:00 p.m., at the Pocatello West Stake 9th Ward Chapel, 4775 Hawthorne Rd, Chubbuck, ID. A viewing will be held Friday, December 4, 2009 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Cornelison Funeral Home, 431 N. 15th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho and also one hour prior to the services at the church. Interment will be in the Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Pocatello.

Memorial may be made in Vern’s memory to the Pocatello Senior Citizens Center, 427 N. 6th Ave., Pocatello, Idaho 83201 Arrangements are under the direction of the Cornelison Funeral Home, 431 N. 15th Ave., Pocatello. Online guest book and condolences available at www.cornelisonfh.com.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2009, at the hour of 2:00 p.m., at the Pocatello West Stake 9th Ward Chapel, 4775 Hawthorne Rd, Chubbuck, ID. A viewing will be held Friday, December 4, 2009 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Cornelison Funeral Home, 431 N. 15th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho and also one hour prior to the services at the church.

I will post a link to the obituary Wednesday.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Dad passed away this morning at approximtely 6:00 a.m. I am sure Randy was waiting at Heaven's gates with open arms.

He will be missed, but he is suffering no more.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

We met with the hospice nurse this afternoon. She was very nice and understanding. I finally feel like Dad will be taken care of, despite of the facility he is in.....they brought us punch and cookies this afternoon. It appears you have to be dying to get good care there. Oh well, it should be over with soon, and Dad willl be in a much better place and out of pain.

Dad really wasn't awake all day, but that's a good thing. The hospice nurse told us that when he is asleep, he's not in any pain.

He actually looked very peaceful today.

Friday, November 27, 2009

I spent most of the day at the hospital with Mom. She has spent way too much time there by herself, watching Dad suffer and slip away. Dr. Rahim was able to have a coherent, honest conversation with Dad about Dad's condition. Dad was able to tell Dr. Rahim that he was ready to quit fighting and go to Heaven to be with his son. Dr. Rahim told Dad that they would make sure he is comfortable, that he will not be in pain, and that there is nothing to be afraid of. The look of relief on Dad's face was enough to let me, Murry and Mom know that it is indeed time for Dad to go home. There will be no more medical intervention for Dad. He has been moved back to the rehab center, and hospice will help over the next few days. It is truly time for Dad to go to a much better place, a place where he will no longer be so ill and in pain. At one point, I was in the room alone with Dad. He looked at me and said, "I have to go." I told him, "I know, but it's okay. We will be fine and we will take care of Mom. Please say hello to Randy for me." To which he replied, "Okay, I will."

Friday, November 27, 2009

We were told yesterday by one of Dad's doctors that it is time to say our good-bye's to Dad. His incision is infected and the infection has gone into his bones. They can give him antibiotics, but they have told us that it won't do much. At this point, there is no hope that he will ever get out of the hospital. It has been recommended that we discontinue the dialysis and let him go. I agree....Dad needs to be released from his suffering here on this earth. It is okay for him to spend Christmas with Randy and our Father in Heaven. I know he will be in a much better place. He will definitely be missed, but will always be loved and always be with us in our hearts. I know that my brother is waiting for him with open arms.

Mom is actually doing amazingly well. We have seen this coming for weeks now. I know it's hard on her, but I know she realizes how ill Dad is and that it's time for us to let him know it's okay to go, we will be fine. We have a strong family circle and will definitely take care of Mom.

Even with the news yesterday morning, we had a very good family Thanksgiving. I am so thankful that Shelley's mom and aunt had dinner with us so that Kerry, Shelley and Emma could be with us yesterday. It really meant a lot to Mom and me to have everyone there....although Mom did fight it at first. We just made it so she didn't do any of the cooking.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

11:14 a.m. Mom just called and told me they are moving Dad out of ICU and to the fourth floor, room 411, West Campus. They cannot find any internal bleeding from any source. They told her that it is common for people on dialysis to become anemic and lose blood, and they are sure that is what is going on with Dad. Mom said he looked much, much better today. He is going to have a very long day because they are doing dialysis again, beginning at 3:30, so I doubt we will go see him today.