Carol JoAnn “Jo” (Thummel) Bennett passed away on Saturday, September 1, 2018 at Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton, Kansas at the age of 80. She was born on April 1, 1938 in Jewell County, Kansas to the late Greg and Mildred (Ulin) Thummel. She grew up in the Esbon area and graduated from Esbon High School with the Class of 1956. She went on to attend cosmetology school in Kansas City. On May 17, 1958 she was united in marriage to Harold C. Bennett at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Esbon, Kansas. They were blessed with six children.
Jo was not only a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker but was always an active member of her church and community. She worked for the Rooks County Public Health Department and Home Health Care of Stockton for many years. She also enjoyed taking care of her friends and neighbors as a beautician for the Solomon Valley Manor. She was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church, the Legion of Mary, and the VFW Auxiliary where she served as Chaplain. She also was involved in the VFW “Buddy” Poppy Program, helping to provide income and financial assistance to disabled and needy veterans.
Jo is survived by her sons Greg Bennett and wife Rita of Topeka, Gary Bennett of Garden City, and Ken Bennett of Topeka; daughters Jeri Atwood and husband David of Lawrence, Teresea Bennett of Ellis, and Lyneatte Arreguin and husband David of Topeka; brother Ted Thummel of Esbon; sister Jean Brogdon of Raytown, MO; ten grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents Greg and Mildred Thummel, husband Harold Bennett, and infant sister Elizabeth Thummel.
The Proverbs writer reminds us, “Do not forsake your mother’s teaching for it is a garland to grace your head and an ornament of gold around your neck.” Jo taught each of us not only with her words, but with her life. She showed us in her daily example, that by caring for and serving one another, in the spirit of Christ, our tears will be temporary, but our love will be eternal.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Stockton. Burial will follow in the St. Elizabeth Cemetery near Esbon. Visitation will be from 2:00-8:00pm on Friday at the funeral home in Stockton with family receiving friends from 6:00-8:00pm and a Prayer Vigil Service at 7:00pm. Memorials are suggested to the VFW Auxiliary or St. Thomas Church and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N. 1st Street, Stockton, KS 67669.