Cloudy, 26° F
(Aug. 13, 1928 - Jan. 28, 2015)
Jessie Evelyn Bennion Keller, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, died Jan. 28, 2015, at her home in Cody. She was 86.
Jessie was born to Lewis Clifton and Alma Evelyn Creager Bennion at their Wood River homestead near Meeteetse. She had an older brother, Clifton, and younger brother Rex.
After graduation from Meeteetse High School in 1946, she attended the University of Wyoming.
She married Jerry W. Nelson at her parents’ ranch in 1948. They had two daughters, Jeralyn and Jean. Jerry died in 1958.
Later, Jessie married R. Victor Donald Hehn. They had three daughters, Susan, Summer and Victoria.
Jessie enjoyed her relationships with Victor’s four children, Virginia, Gretchen, Nancy and Paul. Victor died in 1984. She later moved back to Meeteetse to be near her mother.
Jessie met and married Benjamin Keller in 1992 and moved to Cody. Five step-children were added to her family, James, Larry, Phil, Terry Keller and Elizabeth Voth. Ben died in 2009.
Jessie was a wonderful cook, homemaker and gardener. She had a strong work ethic. Jessie enjoyed visiting with friends and relatives. She was an accomplished seamstress, and loved crocheting, embroidery and quilting.
Jessie was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had a deep and abiding testimony and love of the Gospel and her savior. Jessie served in many church leadership positions.
She is survived by her five children, Jeralyn (Reid) Hall, Jean Nelson, Susan Harp, Summer Edwards and Victoria (Robert) Bell; eight stepchildren; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; brother Rex Bennion; sister-in-law Wanda Bennion; her beloved cat Inky; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis (Sonny) and Alma Bennion, and her beloved brother Lewis Clifton Bennion Jr.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Wyoming Ave. in Cody. Viewing will be one hour before the service. Interment will be at the Meeteetse Town Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Temple Patron Assistance Fund.
An online memorial is available at www.ballardfh.com.
