Delphine A. Bennett

Delphine Alma (Walter) Bennett, 91 passed from this life into the loving arms of Jesus on Friday, May 25, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born April 13, 1927 in St. Francis, Kansas to the late Herman and Elizabeth (Schlepp) Walter, the seventh of ten children. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 63 years, Johnny N. Bennett, her son, Alan Wayne Bennett, granddaughter, Shannon Aubrey Bennett, and siblings, Chester, Willard, Berniece and Violet Walter and Irene Rex. \u0026nbsp; She is survived by her children, Joan Tierney, David Bennett (Sandi) and Karen Cupstid (Scott), her grandchildren, Daniel Bennett, Denise Tierney, Brian Tierney (Katie), April Brenay (Kevan), Heather Weber, Stephanie Hall, Serena Phillips (Caleb), Anthony Cupstid, great-grandchildren, Cody Bennett, Alyssa Bennett, Elijah Brenay, Eva Tierney and Jonah Brenay, and sisters, Jean Holboke (Ted) and Norma Walter and her brothers, Clarence Walter (Norma) and Herman Walter, Jr. \u0026nbsp; When dust storms and The Depression came, Delphine's family of 12 and a family friend set out to move out West for a new start in 1937. Their funds dried up and got them as far as Weiser, Idaho where they lived near her Aunt \u0026amp; Uncle, and then finally in the mid-1940s they made their way to the Portland/Gresham area where all have remained. \u0026nbsp; Delphine attended Gresham High School, got excellent grades and wanted so much to graduate but she had to go to work to help make ends meet. She did whatever she had to, to help provide for her family, even working late, overnight shifts as a waitress so she could be home to make breakfast and see the kids off to school, take a nap, manage the household, make dinner and do it all again each day without complaint.\u0026nbsp; She met the love of her life, Johnny at a Gresham High School football game. He had come along with a friend, Wilbur, who was dating Delphine. While Wilbur ran the chains up and down the field, Johnny and Delphine were getting acquainted and the rest is a beautiful story of love through life's hills and valleys. The deepest valley being the loss of their son, Alan in 1969 from cancer. With Delphine's faith in the Lord sustaining her, she went on courageously and the Lord blessed her abundantly with 91 years, and she would tell you that herself. \u0026nbsp; She was previously a long-time member of Oregon City Church of the Nazarene and later a member of Gladstone Church of the Nazarene, where at both churches there have been wonderful friendships that have lasted 50-60 or more years. \u0026nbsp; She and Johnny lived in SE Portland, Gladstone and finally settled in Milwaukie where she lived since 1962. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and was their biggest cheerleader, always encouraging them to do their best and pursue their dreams. She was very social and loved camping with family and friends, playing board games, dominoes and cards and sitting around the campfire. She was an avid sports fan, watching the Trailblazers and the Mariners on television and listening to the Winterhawks on the radio, sometimes simultaneously. She enjoyed many trips to several States, Hawaii being her favorite, and International travel to Canada, Germany, The Netherlands and Switzerland where she fulfilled a dream of seeing where her grandparents were born. \u0026nbsp; Delphine had a beautiful life of 91 years, full of love, generosity and humor and it will be celebrated. Please contact the family at 503-998-7407 or 727-215-9100 for details on when and where her Celebration of Life service will be."",