Thomas Bennett

THOMAS LEE "DOC" BENNETT

West Union

Thomas Lee "Doc" Bennett, 74, of West Union, passed away Monday, Nov. 21, 2016, at Gunderson Palmer Lutheran Hospital.

Thomas Lee Bennett, the son of Chuck and Mildred (Palmer) Bennett, was born Nov. 6, 1942, in Harlan, Iowa. He grew up in Manning, where he excelled in academics and sports, especially basketball. He graduated from Manning High School in 1961. Tom then attended the University of South Dakota on a basketball scholarship, graduating with a degree in chemistry. "Go Coyotes!" He continued his education at the University of Iowa Dental School, graduating in 1969.

Thomas was united in marriage with Gay Gantt on Aug. 24, 1969, in Pasadena, Calif. That same year, Tom and Gay moved to West Union and set up the West Union Dental Clinic. He operated the business until his retirement in 2011.

Some of Tom's many interests included fishing, hunting geese, ducks and pheasants, golfing with the Par Busters, and communing with nature at Volga Lake. He enjoyed hosting family and friends at the kitchen table. Cooking, serving and table presentation were all part of the experience.

His dental skills came in handy outside the office on several occasions. He was a skilled woodworker and enjoyed making cabinets and gifts for his friends and grandchildren in his workshop. He even mastered the art of stained glass windows. Tom also was known to place a small wager on a football game or two.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving, devoted, endless caregiver, Gay; his son, Tom (Mollie Marshall); his daughter, Libby (Chuck) Hartlieb; grandchildren, Hannah, Dan, Claire, Lauren and Tommy; his sister, Peggy (Al) Jones; nieces; and countless family and friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Chuck and Mildred; his uncle, Rocky Palmer; and his aunt, Alyce Giltner.

The family would like to thank all of the people whose patience, prayers and care helped make the past couple of years as comfortable as possible. A special thanks to the doctors and nurses at Gunderson Palmer Lutheran Hospital, the Palmer Physical Therapy crew, and his homecare/hospice nurse, Kinsli "Cubbie."

The family asks that memorials be made to the Festival of Lights in West Union or to Pheasants Forever.

There will be no services. Tom donated his remains to the University of Iowa Anatomy Department for research.

Condolences may be left at www.graufuneralhomes.com.

Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, West Union, is assisting the family with the arrangements.