Clifford Earl Bennett

Clifford Earl Bennett was born in Haxtun, CO on May 28, 1927, the third child of Ray and Cyntha (Woodhams) Bennett.  He passed away on December 27, 2020 at the Melissa Memorial Hospital in Holyoke, Colorado at the age of 93.

Clifford grew up along with his two brothers and two sisters on several different farms south of Ovid, CO.  Clifford attended several area county schools including district #83 and finally graduated from the 8th grade at district #3.  His education ended after this graduation as he was needed on the farm helping his father support the family.  These were the years following the Great Depression so times were hard and money was scarce.  Cliff’s first paying job was when he was seven years old – he played his guitar and sang for a couple of political candidates earning a silver dollar for each performance.  In his teen years he continued to pursue his interest in music, playing with a dance band.  He worked for Sapp Brothers Manufacturing Company in Julesburg as well as working on the farms of many friends and neighbors. 

On July 7, 1951, Clifford was married to Mary Louise Scott and they made their first home on Uncle Claude Bennett’s farm south of Ovid, Colorado.  They had two daughters Jennifer Jo and Beverly Jane. 

Clifford worked for the Great Western Sugar Company as an electrician’s helper and through many campaigns, but his true passion was farming.  In the Early 1960’s he fulfilled this passion by renting some irrigated land north of Ovid, Colorado to begin farming.  In 1963 his passion for farming led Clifford to move his family to the Burt Randall Farm south east of Holyoke where he became one of the first farmers to grow sugar beets in Phillips County.  Clifford relocated the family once again in 1967 to the Clifford Webermeier Farm east of Holyoke where he farmed for many years until his retirement in 1993. Clifford was a proud farmer and took great pride in his farming.  Clifford won numerous awards over the years as a top sugar producer.  He served on the Amherst Coop board of Directors for 12 years.  He enjoyed the combination of family time and community service acting as a 4-H leader for a number of years.  He thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with his daughters and their horses as they participated in drill teams, parades and fairs.

Clifford and Mary enjoyed watching the lights of their lives, their two grandsons, grow up.  They attended events from Pee-Wee wrestling to High School Ball games and track meets. 

Clifford was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Cyntha Bennett, Brothers William and Clarence and sisters Eleanor Peterson and Evilyn Harvey. 

Clifford is survived by his wife Mary Louise, daughters Jennifer and husband Rick Lett of Yuma, Colorado, Beverly and husband Vito Gennaro of Aurora, CO.  Two grandsons Justin Lett and Wife Beth of Parker, Colorado and Sean Lett and wife Hanna of Aurora, Colorado.  Four great grandchildren Madison Rose and Emily Anne; Alexis Rae and Christian Jovanni Lett. And many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

Funeral Service - Saturday, January 2, 2021 at 10:30 A.M. at the Baucke Funeral Home in Holyoke, Colorado. Interment followed at the Holyoke Cemetery in Holyoke, Colorado.  Baucke Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. 

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