Obituary: Sandra "Sandie" Jean Bennett

Sandra "Sandie" Jean Bennett, 68, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017 at Northern Montana Hospital and is resting peacefully with our Lord.

Sandie was born July 16, 1948, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Havre, Montana, to Jack and Fern (Pagel) Harding. She attended schools in Havre, and graduated from Havre High School in 1966. Sandie enjoyed caring for people and subsequently pursued a career in nursing at Northern Montana College. She graduated as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and practiced care of others throughout her life.

Sandie married the love of her life, Gary Bennett, June 3, 1967, and together they had three boys, Brion, Jason, and Joshua. With Gary and the boys, Sandie enjoyed the drag races and wrestling tournaments where she knitted many wonderful blankets for people in her life.

Sandie worked at Sacred Heart and Northern Montana hospitals, Burlington Northern Railway, and several of the care facilities in Havre and Chinook. She greatly enjoyed watching sports programs on TV with the Cubs, Mariners, Packers and Yankees being her favorite teams. But above all "Mom" liked to talk on the phone to friends and family and collect "Chickens."

"Sandra Jean was a gentle free spirit, she danced to her own drum and we are going to miss her terribly." - Paulette Frey

Sandie is preceded in death by her father, Jack Harding; sister, Barbra Salley; and son, Joshua Bennett.

She is survived by her husband, Gary Bennett of Havre; son, Brion (Maia) Bennett of Idaho Falls, Idaho; son, Jason of Helena; grandchildren, Grayson and Madeleine Bennett of Idaho Falls; mother, Fern Harding of Galesburg, Illinois; brother, Russell (Martha) Harding of Spokane, Washington; sisters, Shelley (Guy) Harding of Galesberg, Illinois, and Renee (Tony) Ericson of Murray, Kentucky; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at St. Paul Lutheran Church with Pastor Mark Schultz officiating.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Please visit Sandie's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Sandie's family has requested that memorials be made in her name to St. Paul Lutheran Church or to a charity of the donor's choice.