Larry L Bennett

MADISON-Larry L. Bennett, age 73, died at his home in Holmen on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013. Although his passing was unexpected, Larry had been battling cancer and the effects of diabetes for some time. Larry was born Nov. 27, 1939 to William and Doris (Eckert) Bennett in Rockford, IL. His adolescence was spent in southern California, and he graduated from high school there. On Nov. 6, 1982 Larry was united in marriage to Linda Stites in the McFarland Lutheran Church. Following his service in the U.S. Army in California, Larry moved to the Madison area. For a time he worked for Carl Payne at his C & P store on Cottage Grove Rd. He began his 30-plus years of employment at Oscar Mayer & Co. in the early 1960s and retired in 1996. He served as a Line Supervisor in several production departments. He was considered a “favorite boss” by many of the workers in his departments. Not one to enjoy being idle, he worked for a time at Qual-Line Fencing, Waunakee and later for Cam Robinson at Invisible of Madison. An avid hunter and fisherman, Larry enjoyed many fly-in fishing trips to Canada with good friends. He also hunted pheasants, ducks and other game in surrounding states. Larry's father-in-law introduced him to the game of golf and he became an accomplished player with a powerful swing. In fact, he once bounced a golf ball off a passing semi on the Interstate Larry never met a stranger and made many friends wherever he went as well as among his co-workers and business people. Larry is survived by a son, Rick Bennett of Calif.; sister, Rosemary Latorri of Rockford, Ill.; brothers, Steve (Janice) Bennett, Mike Bennett and Jim Bennett, all of Rockford, Ill., Raymond (Linda) Bennett of Davenport, Iowa; as well as two nephews, Chris Bennett of Indiana, and Scott Erickson of Rockford, Ill. Larry is also survived by his dear friends, John Wetzel of Holmen, and Marc and Sue Schultz of Onalaska. He also remained close to his mother-in-law, Jeane Stites; and his former wife, Linda Bennett. Larry was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Jeanette Countryman; and his brother, Tom Bennett. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Brice Prairie Conservation Association. Memorial Services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013. Friends and family are invited to a visitation at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the services on Wednesday. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Dr. (608) 221-5420