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Elaine Annis Bennett

Elaine Bennett, dear and beloved mother, grandmother, relative and friend, went home to live forever with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 15, 2016.
Elaine was born in Ellsworth on March 14, 1931 to Carl and Lorena Krummel, attended area schools, and worked as a legal secretary until her marriage to LeRoy Bennett on May 4, 1951. Elaine resided at the family home in East Ellsworth for 65 years, where they raised their 3 children, Nancy, Bob and Mike and where she loved to garden, arrange flowers, and entertain family and friends.
Elaine loved music and shared her gifts at the keyboard with great joy. In her early years she played with her father’s band, and later served as church keyboardist for 24 years, retiring at age 83. She planned and played musical programs at Ellsworth Senior Center and the Care Center, most recently one month ago.
She was very community-minded, serving on the board of the Ellsworth Senior Center until her death, and on the Ellsworth Public Library board for many years where she would share her homemade raspberry wine on special occasions.
The centerpiece of Elaine’s life was St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, her ancestors’ church when it was still a German-speaking congregation and where she was baptized, confirmed, married and embraced by the church who was like family to her. She steadfastly served as flower arranger, in the prayer shawl ministry, and as church historian and in many other ways. She was the family historian with an interest in genealogy. She was a good neighbor, and was blessed by her neighbors’ many kindnesses to her as she lived out her resolve to stay in her home for as long as her health would allow.
Elaine easily made friends with her quiet, gentle, kind and joyous spirit. She was a bright and shining presence in any room. Everyone loved Elaine’s company because of her interest in others and in various subjects. She will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know her.
She is survived by children Nancy (and Tod) Fredericks, Mike Bennett, grandchildren Dani and Ben Bennett, and daughter-in-law Nancy Shafer. She was preceded in death by husband LeRoy, son Bob, and sister Etta Beebe.
A celebration of Elaine’s life will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday May 19, 2016 St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Ellsworth, Wisconsin. Visitation will be held 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday May 18, at Hill Funeral Home Ellsworth, Wisconsin with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Church Cemetery.

Hill Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ellsworth, Wisconsin is assisting the family.