Barbara Lynne (Brand) Bennett-Hakanson

Barbara Lynne, nee Brand, Bennett-Hakanson, born December 29, 1932, entered eternal life on Monday, May 15, 2023, at the age of 90.  Mrs. Bennett was the daughter of Frank and Rose, nee Butterfield, Brand.  On September 13, 1950, she married J. Phillip Bennett in Silvis, Illinois.  They were married for 44 years and were blessed with two sons—Bruce L. Bennett, of Moline, IL and P. Jerry Bennett, of Highland, IL; and a daughter—Michele R. Neer, of Port Byron, IL.

Mrs. Bennett married Richard Hakanson on April 29, 2001 at First Christian Church, E. Moline.  He preceded her in death on April 2, 2022.

Mrs. Bennett loved music and she loved books.  She often said, “even if you don’t have a friend, you always have a book.”  She was invited by Marion Erickson to join the new library staff at the then new Colona Public Library.  Eventually, Mrs. Bennett became the library director, from where she retired.

The family has many fond memories of music playing and Mom singing as she went about her daily tasks.  She was active in the Colona Grade School PTA, a long-time member of Rose Chapter 626, Organization of the Eastern Star.  She was a member of First Christian Church, E. Moline, IL where she sang in the choir and served on the governing board. 

The family remembers Mrs. Bennett as a happy person, fastidious in her housekeeping and personal care.  She was her children’s biggest fan and doted on her grandchildren.  Her yard was always filled with beautiful flowers.  She loved to travel.  She and her first husband, Phil, loved all forms of auto racing.

Mrs. Bennett was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, J. Phillip Bennett (May 20, 1994), her second husband, Richard Hakanson, a grandson, Bruce L. Bennett, Jr., her beloved cousin, Virginia Tarczon, and extended family members.

Left to mourn her passing are sons, Bruce L. Bennett (Milly) and P. Jerry Bennett (Ann, dec’d), daughter Michele R. Neer (Terry), and stepdaughter, Reesa Douglas (Kenneth) of Moline, IL; grandchildren David Bennett (Becky), Brigitte Bennett, Lindsey Roberts (Steven), Joe Bennett (Mary), Keith Neer (Teresa), and Tara Kain (Josh) and eleven great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at Van Hoe Funeral Home, East Moline IL from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 17.  Funeral Service will be at Van Hoe Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 18, with interment following at Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family, c/o Bruce Bennett, for a memorial at Colona Public Library.

Online condolences may be left for the family at vanhoe.com

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