Lucille Hayes was born on April 17, 1921, in Wasta, SD, to Emmet and Matilda (Lassegard) Hayes. She grew up in Boneita Springs, where she attended school through the 8th grade. She was fond of saying that she had to walk to school uphill both ways.
It took her six years to get through high school because she took two years off to take care of her ailing mother. She attended New Underwood and Owanka High Schools, then graduated from Plano High School near Mitchell. Lucille got her teaching certificate from Notre Dame Junior College in Mitchell. She always told us kids that she graduated in the top ten of her class. There were only nine people in her class.
She taught two years at the Enning School, where she walked one mile each way. Then, she taught for two years at the Eleanor School, northwest of Union Center.
On June 14, 1944, she married Wilbert Bennett, and they resided on a ranch northwest of Union Center until they retired and moved to Sturgis in 1987. To this union, four children were born, John, Jerry, Mildred, and Eilene. Lucille was a typical farm wife. She raised chickens, milked cows, grew a large garden, and canned beef, chicken, and garden produce. She enjoyed knitting and made afghans for her children, grandchildren, and several others. She loved to play cards, and played up until the end. The high point of most of the grandchildren's days was to beat her at any type of cards.
Lucille (Hayes) Bennett passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2020, at Sturgis Regional Senior Care at the age of 98.
Lucille is survived by her brother, DeWayne (Diana) Hayes of Sturgis; her children, John (Helen) Bennett of Bismarck, ND, Jerry Bennett of Sturgis, Mildred (Charles) Reid of Nisland, and Eilene (Tom) Asheim of Sturgis; ten grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Sam Bennett; sisters-in-law, Fern, Lucille, and Zeta Bennett, and Donna Sexton; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Emmet and Matilda Hayes; her husband of 46 years, Wilbert Bennett; brothers, Lester and Gordon Hayes; granddaughter, Amy Lou Reid; and grandson-in-law, Jeremy Sechser.
Lucille was proud to have been a Meade County resident for her entire life.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 12, 2020, at the United Methodist Church in Sturgis. Burial will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Sturgis Regional Senior Care.