Geraldine Viola Bennett

Geraldine Viola Bennett, of Bozeman formerly of Livingston, left us for a glorious life in heaven on February 5, 2014 when she slipped away peacefully at Highgate Senior Living in Bozeman with family near her side. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, February 11, 2014, 11 am, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Livingston. The family will receive condolences Monday, February 10, 4-6 pm at Franzen-Davis Funeral Home. A Vigil Prayer Service will be held at 6 pm Monday at Franzen-Davis. Viewing will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow the Mass at Calvary Cemetery. Fellowship will follow the interment at the St. Mary's Catholic School Gymnasium. Everyone who knew and loved Geri is welcome and family would love to hear your stories about their wife, mom and grandma. Geraldine Viola (Flanigan) Bennett was born to William and Viola Flanigan in Lead, South Dakota, on June 11th in a year of her choosing. She was the third oldest of ten children born into a loving but hard working family. Geri graduated from high school in Whitehall, MT and graduated from St. James School of Nursing after earning her RN degree. She and Bob married in San Francisco during World War II. She spent most of her adult life practicing the art of nursing and caring compassion to anyone who needed her in Whitehall, Deer Lodge, Livingston and Butte. She truly was an angel in white, her nursing uniform. Everyone she met became a lasting friend. Geri is survived by loving husband and life's partner, Robert E. Bennett of Bozeman. Bob and Geri would have celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on February 10th. Also survived by children Bob (Sheila) Bennett, Jr. of Gabon, Africa, Mariann Martin of Taichung, Taiwan, Sheila (Edward) Davies of Brooklyn Park, MN, Frank (Gayle) Bennett of Brainerd, MN and Pat (Tara) Bennett of Ridgefield, WA. Grandchildren (the love of her life and the sparkle in her eye) are Shane (Kara) Bennett, Sascha Bennett, Jackie Bennett, Luke (Julie) Martin, Joe (Kari) Davies, Bobby Davies, Mary Pat (Dan) Stark, Michael and Annie Davies, Klair, Kellen and Quinn Bennett, Jace, Jesse and Alissa Bennett. Great-grandchildren Madison, Hudson and Jackson Bennett, Lucia Bennett, Ivan, Sebastian, Gwen, and Emmett Martin, Drew and Norah Davies, Zaida Geraldine Stark (her namesake born in December 2013), Nolan Bennett, Malia and Jonas Bennett. Geri is also survived by her sisters, Lois Tully of Cincinnati and Mildred Flanigan of Butte and brother, Bill of Columbia Falls and sister-in-law, Lucille Flanigan of Bozeman. Many loving nieces and nephews will miss Aunt Geri as well. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as sisters and brothers in law Lenora and Ted Bisch, Margaret and Lonnie Rice, Doris and Brendon Rohan; brothers Herbert, Richard and Robert Flanigan and by her beloved grandson, Trevor Martin. William and Richard Bisch, John Rohan and John Flanigan also preceded Aunt Geri in death. Special thanks to caregivers at Highgate Senior Living and Bozeman Deaconess Hospice for making our final earthly journey with mom so extraordinary. Your loving attention to Geri and her family will long be remembered. How do you say good bye to the best person you will ever know? She was the strength of our family in her quiet way and will be missed forever. Arrangements are under the direction of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory.