LeAnn Rae Bennett

LeAnn Rae Bennett, 58, peacefully passed away in her home with family and friends, Thursday, July 29, 2010, from complications of breast cancer.

Memorial funeral services will be Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010, at 6 p.m. in the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church, with a reception following.

Memorials may be sent to a cancer organization or the charity of one's choice.

Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.

LeAnn was born April 10, 1952, to LeRoy and Vivian (Russell) Honrud in Fort Benton and grew up north of Loma on the family farm as the oldest sibling in a family which included four brothers and a sister.

LeAnn attended school in Loma until sixth grade and continued school in Fort Benton, where she graduated in 1970.

She attended college at Montana State University and graduated with a degree in psychology in 1974. LeAnn married Jim Bennett on Oct. 19, 1974, and lived in Medford, Ore., until moving to Havre in 1978, where they settled down and raised two boys whom she loved dearly, Jesse and Ryan. When the boys were old enough to attend school, she invested much of her time and passion starting and running the Petal Pusher flower shop.

She played an integral part in the community and always remained active. In church, she often designed and organized its beautiful décor, led Sunday school and attended Bible study. Her boys kept her busy with much time spent chasing them and helping to organize many of their activities.

Quality time involved a combination of friends, family and nature. Winter months brought with them her fondness for skiing and sledding with family. With the changing of the seasons, she avidly enjoyed identifying various flowers and making use of her green thumb about the yard. Summer brought church campouts and fly-fishing with her family in the evenings on the Swan River where she often found peace.

LeAnn had strong roots and radiant beauty like a wildflower that was always in bloom. Her heart was soft and spirit kind.

She touched the lives and hearts of many and will be missed dearly.

LeAnn is survived by her husband, Jim Bennett of Havre; sons, Ryan of Kalispell and Jesse of Havre; parents, LeRoy and Vivian Honrud of Fort Benton; brothers, Rick (Kris) Honrud of Carter, Don Honrud and Less Honrud, both of Fort Benton, and Russ (Leanne) Honrud of Loma; sister, Nancy McCafferty of Grand Rapids, Mich.