Marion Bennett

Marion Wayne Bennett of Ronan went to be with his lord and savior Dec. 30, 2024.

He was born March 24, 1942, in Prescott, Ariz., to Jack Wayne and Mabel Bennett. Marion was the oldest of three children (Marion, Jacklyn and Dennis). He was raised in Mayer, Ariz. He attended Mayer schools from kindergarten through 12th grade and was one of three graduates in his class.

While in high school he played basketball and rode and broke horses and donkeys. This is where his love of horses and being a cowboy began.

Marion married Jolene Nielson in 1976 and they were married in the Salt Lake temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1978. With this union, they blended their four boys to complete their family.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints, he spent many years in different positions serving others throughout his life.

In his early years, Marion drove over-the-road semi-trucks from Chinatown to New York City and everywhere in between. He spent most of his career working for Salt River Project at the Navajo Generating Station in Page, Ariz., as a heavy equipment operator. While living in Page, he was able to start his dream of collecting horses for his horse ranch.

They bought their dream property in Montana and eventually moved to Montana in 1997. While in Montana he worked for the Ronan School District and then Lake County until his final retirement in 2006. He was then free to spend all his time with his horses and working on his property with Jolene.

He spent many hours in the parking lots of Walmart and Costco calling his kids and grandkids while waiting for Jolene to shop. These were some of the best conversations we all had.

Marion’s greatest loves were his wife, kids, grandkids, great grandkids, his cats, dogs and his horses. He also loved hunting, fishing and spending time with his family in the great outdoors.

He was preceded in death by his parents (Jack and Mabel), brother (Dennis), son (Bill) and brother-in-law (Dan).

Marion is survived by his wife, Jolene; his sons, Brian, Tim (Dana) and David; grandchildren Ashley, Dustin (Bubba) (Kally), Garth (Seana), Ty (Braedyn), Jacob, Christian (Amanda), Jenna (Taylor), Shawn and Gracie; great-grandchildren Zander, Hudson, Hunter, Axel, Brooks, Ryleigh, Nolan, Avery and Ridge; his sister, Jacklyn, niece and nephew and many other relatives.

A funeral service was held at the Ronan Church of Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at shriderthompson.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Shrider-Thompson Funeral Home.