Donald (Buck) Dhu Bennett

Donald (Buck) Dhu Bennett (90) of Annis, Idaho our father and grandfather passed away peacefully and has gone onto his Heavenly Father on September 25, 2021 rejoining his wife Ora Lee and his parents.  Don (Buck) was born in Rigby, Idaho on May 16, 1931.  He was the only child of Donald Allen Bennett originally from Linn, Kansas and Delilah Hawke from Annis, Idaho.  Don had pioneer ancestry through the Hawke’s on his mother’s side.  Don attended the old Annis School and was taught by his own father who was both a teacher and the principal during Don’s eighth grade year.  Don grew up farming with his parents on what was mostly timbered land covered in cottonwood trees.  He told stories of running through the trees to visit his friends.  Don graduated from Midway High School in 1949.

Don enrolled at what was Ricks College in the fall of 1949 and attended through 1952 where he participated on the track team.  During his time at Ricks College he met his eternal companion Ora Lee Willes and they were married in the Logan Temple on July 25, 1952.  The rest of Don’s life he lived on the same road only moving a half mile from his boyhood home in Annis to where he and Ora Lee built their family home.  The farm for some period had both Hereford and Holstein cows with a dairy operation.   Don worked the farm with his growing children, but in the last decades exclusively with his son Russ.  Together they raised hay, grain, and corn.  Don was known as a very tireless and hardworking farmer.  Don has spent his entire life on the family farm.

Don was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held positions as ward clerk, Sunday school counselor, High Priest Group Leader, and minister to families for many years.  Don also served as a temple worker where he made many friends. Don served as a director on the Long Island Irrigation Company for 28 years.  Don loved to go fishing on Birch Creek.  His favorite past time was a daily trip to the Menan Co-op with his son Russ to get a Mountain Dew and share news with other farmers.  He always had a story to tell about some past experience.  Don always liked when his children and grandchildren came to visit and enjoyed hearing about their accomplishments.  In the past year Don has been at the Homestead Assisted Living where he received excellent care.  The Bennett family would like to give thanks to the Homestead Assisted Living caregivers and the Homestead Home Health and Hospice nurses for their dedicated service to Don.

Don is survived by his children Teri Yarber (Dellis), Layne Bennett (Kevin), Russell Bennett (Stephanie), Vince Bennett (Betty), Jim Bennett (Gay), fourteen grand children, fourteen great grand children and one great-great grand child.

Funeral Services will be held at the Menan Stake Center, 698 North 3600 East at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 1, 2021.  The family will receive friends and family from 6:30-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 30, 2021 and again from 9:30-10:45 a.m. on Friday, October 1, 2021 both at the Menan Stake Center.  Interment will follow at the Annis Little Butte Cemetery.  Services are under the direction of Eckersell Funeral Home in Rigby.  Condolences may be sent to the family on-line at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com .