DeWayne Bennett

DeWayne James Bennett, 85, died on January 9, 2023 at Lakeshore Rehabilitation, Waseca, Minnesota, following a short, but fierce battle with COVID-19.  Funeral services will begin at 11 am on Saturday, July 15 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Salem, SD.  Visitation will begin at 10 am.  Inurnment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery after the service and a luncheon will follow.

DeWayne was born in Mitchell, South Dakota on October 22, 1937, the only child of Lowell M. and Rosella Herting Bennett.  He was raised in Salem, South Dakota where he graduated from St. Mary’s High School with the class of 1956.  He then attended State Teacher’s College in Springfield, South Dakota, graduating in 1962 with a degree in History.  It was during his college years that DeWayne had his first eye surgery, which, while experimental, was successful and limited his vision loss for many years.

DeWayne held several jobs over the years, including owning his own janitorial service, manning the front desk at the Sioux Falls YMCA, and began his career as a residential counselor at McCrossan Boys Ranch in Sioux Falls.  He retired from Hope Haven in Hull, Iowa, in 2001 following 20 years with them.

On June 19, 1993, DeWayne married Mary Z. Liberte in LaCrescent, Minnesota.  Following his retirement, they moved from Boyden, Iowa, to Waseca, Minnesota, to be closer to her children.  He was employed with the Waseca School District as a Janitor until 2009, when he became legally blind and he fully retired.  DeWayne loved to read, extensively using both Talking Books and a reading machine following his blindness, until his death.

DeWayne greatly valued his extended families.  He is survived by four cousins who were like sisters to him:  Elaine Thompson and Donna (Bob) Bray of Sioux Falls, and Kathy (Dave) Myers and Debbie (Phil) Peterson of Norton Shores, Michigan, and their families, and one godson, Todd (Brenda) Thompson, Sioux Falls, and many other cousins.  He is also survived by his stepchildren: John C.F. (Ann) Zlabek of Walker, Iowa, and Mary L. Zlabek of Waseca, five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandsons, Colin and Gus.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Bennett, his parents, one godson, Troy Thompson, one step-granddaughter, Sarah Zlabek, and his cousin-in-law, Harley Thompson.   www.kinzleyfh.com