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Dianne Marie Bennink 07-28-44 to 02-27-25
On February 27th, 2025, our dear mom Dianne Marie Bennink went to sleep, but she did not wake in this world, she awoke in a paradise we know as heaven. The angels came and took her back home to be reunited with our dad, her beloved husband, and the many other loved ones that departed before her. Sorrow filled our hearts as we tried to bring her back to us, but God gave us the strength to understand that she had left us to return to her heavenly home. Her whole family surrounded her, children and grandchildren. We prayed that she might know that our hearts are no longer whole without her and that we will miss her every day until we all meet again. We do know that she is healed and is free from all the pain and weariness she had begun to suffer in this world. Forgive this late notice, but she was in Texas, and so we first mourned her there, but we will also have a service in her hometown that she loved so dearly.
Our mom, Dianne, was preceded in death by her husband and our beloved father, Harm Bennink, her mother Edna Brogan, and her father Walter Brogan. She is survived by her daughters Pamela Pilgrim and Angie Bennink, her son Harm Bennink Jr., her granddaughters, Kahlie Kitchen and husband Cody Kitchen, Shannon Pilgrim Pertuit and husband Adam Pertuit, Zoey Bennink and great-granddaughters, Rylee Kitchen, Kylee Bennink, Hazel Bennink, her grandson Garrett Bennink and great-grandson Case Kitchen and her son-in-law Jess Pilgrim.
As small children, mom meant “made of magic”, she could do anything. She was the most beautiful woman in the world, and I could not wait to be like her. Her brilliant blue eyes, soft curly locks and big, bright smile captivated all who simply glanced in her direction. She could heal wounds, both physical and of the heart with just a kiss, a warm hug, and softly spoken loving assurances. She made our house a home with the aromas of her spectacular cooking, her beautiful art, her laughter, and the warmth of her loving presence. One of my favorite childhood memories is walking into the house after school and smelling what mom was cooking for dinner. I would run up the stairs and try to guess what she was cooking. I remember her beautiful smile greeting me and her laughter when I guessed correctly. I always knew the scent of liver and onions, which was never a welcomed scent, but she always prepared a side dish I would love. There was never a doubt that supper would be delicious.
Although small in stature she was large in spirit and passion and was fiercely protective. Her beautiful sky-blue eyes transformed into an icy stare that could strike fear in the largest adversary. All her children can recall stories when she came to our aid when she felt we had been wronged. An apology to us was always imminent; she was never cruel but committed and adamant.
She loved sports and was amazingly talented at all of them. She was a tremendous bowler, not one of us could compete with her. She won many trophies with the team she adored. She played a variety of sports, but golf was her passion. She loved the game, and she loved the outdoors and the beauty of the many golf courses she played all over the country. More than just the sport, she valued all the relationships she forged through the leagues she played in. Her friends meant so much to her. She loved them dearly and shared many stories of their kindness and support after she lost our father. She had many funny stories of her friends and their adventures. As she recalled the funny predicaments, she would giggle like it only happened yesterday. We will deeply and wholly miss her laughter for it was such a large part of her. She loved to live life, she was not a bystander in this world, she was a doer.
After her children grew and they no longer depended upon her for all things she went back to college and received a BS in Technical Writing at Michigan Tech. We were so proud of her when we attended her graduation ceremony. Not only was she stunningly beautiful on the outside, but she also proved that there was much more within her. She was highly intelligent and extremely motivated to always grow and learn. She loved to play bridge and all kinds of games of strategy. Game night at the Bennink house was always fun, but very competitive, and maybe even heated if I am honest. Later, the heated moments were simply something to laugh about. Bridge was her favorite game though because she loved all the women and the occasional man that dared to enter the game. She had a very funny joke particular to one man. Her friends reading will likely recall.
What I will miss the most about mom is our late-night giggles. My sister, her and I have always been night owls, and we loved to stay up late and talk. As the night wore on, we would just get silly, and we would laugh at only jokes we would understand. We would laugh until our tummies hurt. She never got too old or too sick to find joy in life. Her life became so difficult, but she never stopped finding joy and appreciating all the funny moments in life. She found peace, love and joy in God and she found the same with her friends and family. She will forever be in our hearts, and we will think of her every day. Anyone that befriended her is better for it and I know all will miss her and will never forget her.
Funeral services will be held at Jacobson Funeral Home on July 24th, 2025. We will have a visitation at 1:00 p.m. and the funeral will be at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Julie Belew officiating.
Friends may sign Dianne’s guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com
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