Marian Gertrude Bennett-Kohls

Marian G. Bennett-Kohls, 95, a resident of the Forest Grove community, died Wednesday morning, June 7, 2017 at the Hawthorne House in Forest Grove.

Marian was born June 30, 1921 in Waupun, Wisconsin, the daughter of John Gerritson and Gertrude (VanLoenen) Gerritson. She was raised and received her education in the Waupun community, having been a graduate of the Waupun High School Class of 1939.

She was united in marriage to Raymond E. Bennett on July 29, 1939 in Waupun, Wisconsin. Following their marriage they resided in the Beaver Dam and Waupun communities. Marian and Ray co-owned and operated Bennett’s Superette in Waupun from 1954 to 1977, when they retired. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond, on November 6, 1987, after celebrating forty-eight years of marriage together.

On August 20, 1988, Marian was united in marriage to Orville G. Kohls in Waupun, Wisconsin. Following their marriage they made their home in the Waupun community. She was preceded in death by Orville, on January 26, 1997, after celebrating over eight years together. Mr. Kohls was the owner and operator of the Kohls Company Funeral Home in Waupun and Oakfield, Wisconsin, which is entrusted with her funeral arrangements.

Marian moved to Oregon, settling in Lake Oswego in October of 2009, to be near her son Jeff and his family. She later moved to Forest Grove where she resided until her death.

She was a longtime and active member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waupun, Wisconsin, where she was a member of the Rebecca Circle. Among her special interests she enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking, sewing and quilt-making, playing cards, watching Packer and Badger games, reading and doing arts and crafts.

Marian was also preceded in death by her parents, John and Gertrude Gerritson; her two brothers, Delmar Gerritson and Russell Gerritson; her two sisters, Lorraine Gruhn and Jeanette Peters; her step-son-in-law, Earl Strade, and her step-son and his wife, Jerry and Donna Schultz.

Survivors include her two children and their spouses, Ron and Kathy Bennett, of Las Vegas, Nevada; Jeff and Kathy Bennett, of Hillsboro, Oregon; her step-daughters, Julene Kohls, of Watertown, Wisconsin, and Barbara Strade, of Madison, Wisconsin.

Also surviving are her fifteen grandchildren and their spouses, Paula and Alan Gold; Ronald, Jr. and Penny Bennett; Scott Bennett; Patrice and Jason Ondrisko; and Steven Womack, all of Las Vegas, Nevada; Megan and Rich Mauger, of Santa Cruz, California; Christina Kelly of, Phoenix, Arizona; Andrew and Jamie Bennett, of Los Angeles, California, Patrick and Ashley Bennett, of West Linn, Oregon; Brian and Christine Arthur, of Tillamook, Oregon; Jamie and Tido Pesenti, of Forest Grove, Oregon; Julene and Bret Harris, of Madison, Wisconsin; Keith Strade and Shawn Coffey of Poynette, Wisconsin; Mary Ellen and Mitch Smith, of Mason City, Iowa; and Lisa and Jeff Schultz, of Rockwell, Iowa. She is also survived by nineteen great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews and their families.

The family suggests that remembrances may be contributions to the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 525 W Main Street, Waupun, WI 53963, in her memory.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at Kohls Community Funeral Home, 405 West Main Street, Waupun and from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of service on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 525 West Main Street, Waupun.

A funeral service for Marian will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Rev. Jeff Nicla officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens.

A memorial fund has been directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 525 West Main Street, Waupun.