A loving wife and companion, mother, grandma, and great-grandma, Donetta Albrechtsen Bennion, passed away August 6, 2020, age 86, with her family by her side, Donetta always demonstrated love for her family and faith in her Heavenly Father. Donetta will always be remembered for being lovely, gentle and kind.
Donetta was born on August 19, 1933, to Ernest and Donetta P. Albrechtsen in Salt Lake City, Utah. She graduated from Granite High School, then attended the University of Utah and Brigham Young University. Her first formal date was with her future husband an admiring neighbor in Taylorsville. On October 30, 1953, she married E. Mervin Bennion in the Salt Lake Temple. She and Merv are the parents of four children. Their first home together was in Heidelberg, Germany where she worked as secretary with top secret clearance while her husband served in the US Army. They spent 15 years living in Granger raising their family then moved to West Jordan where the have lived for the past 40 years.
Service to others and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ were both important and essential to Donetta. Throughout her life, Donetta was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served as the President of the Primary, Young Women and Relief Society. Her sweet influence has touched the lives of those she served.
She had a deep love for her husband and her family, always a wonderful example of living life with faith, happiness, family, friendships, and love of the gospel. She gave us sweet memories our family will always hold dear. She blessed others and will always be remembered for her service, humility, gratitude, patience, and kindness.
Donetta and Merv enjoyed being together with dear friends from West Lake, and siblings of the Bennion and Albrechtsen Families. Donetta’s first love was little children which she called her little people. Her countenance always brightened in their company. The grandchildren had many sleep overs. It was her custom to make a bed on the front room floor and all sleep together after the activities. Each child left her home knowing that they were loved and treasured.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Carma Beus and brother-in-law Norman B. Maxfield. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Mervin; her children daughter DeAnn Edvik Lunt (Ronald), Sons Dennis Mervin (Allison), Wade Warren (Marcey), and Chad Ernest Bennion, 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, and 6 step-great-grandchildren, Donetta's siblings; Darlene Maxfield (Norman), Carma Beus (Stanley), Christine Marsh (Bill), Cecil Albrechtsen (Kay), Annette Miller (Kenneth), Claudia Taggart (Bruce) and Bryce Albrechtsen (Dana).
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the home nursing staff of Quality Home Health and Hospice as well as the Intermountain Health Care Heart Failure Clinic for their extraordinary care. In lieu of flowers, the family would be pleased to have contributions made to (the Humanitarian Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)
Funeral Services will be held August 13, 2020 at 11:00 am at the Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Rd. (10600 South), Sandy, with viewing at 10:00 am. Services and viewing will be limited to family members because of Covid 19. Interment will be at the Taylorsville Memorial Park Cemetery, 4575 South Redwood Road (1700 West). Funeral service may be viewed over zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84142026256
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Humanitarian Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Online condolences may be offered at www.larkincares.com.
We have so many sweet memories! She made a lasting impression that won’t be forgotten. Sent with love from my family to yours. Sincerely, Cindy and Dave Weenig, Brent and Stacie Oakeson, and Natalie and Isaac Quintana
One of the kindest ladies I have ever met! My thoughts and prayers go out to all her family! She will be missed.
Donetta was always so kind and caring. When my mom was ill she traveled several times to Boise to see her. After several years of not seeing Donetta she and Darlene surprised us by showing up without our knowledge to the Jordan River Temple for our son Dalin’s wedding. I will never forget how I felt has I entered the temple and saw them sitting there. She will be missed.
What a kind, beautiful, sweet, Christlike friend Donetta is! As one of her visiting teachers for 10+ years I learned so many wonderful things from her! She has always been such a great example of kindness and Christlike love for me! I will truly miss, but never forget Donetta!
Every once in a great while an individual is born that seems to inherently understand their divine origin. No matter how steep the trial or challenge that life provides, they exhibit the ability to show compassion and to love unconditionally. They focus their life in exemplifying Christlike attributes and instill in those close to them the desire to want to be better and follow our Savior. My Aunt Donetta is one of those special individuals blessed with those abilities and talents. We always knew she loved us and all those she crossed paths with. We are all blessed to have had her as part of our lives. It is my fondest hope and prayer that Uncle Merv and the family will be blessed and supported with continued love until we all have the opportunity to be together again. We love you all very much. Kelly Maxfield and Family
Donetta was the girl across the street and the love of my life from our first date August of 1948 when she was a sophomore and I was a senior at Granite High School. We both had the same goals and were married in the Salt Lake Temple for Time and Eternity Oct 31, 1953. Through life we had a few strong disagreements but every thing worked out for the better. She was a wonderful loving companion. She did not complain but encouraged me when in school and then starting a business in our early married life. She was essentially left with nurturing and raising our 4 young children. She shared her love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through service and example. She loved her family, heritage, siblings and friends. We had 73 years of joys and tears together. She is now on a new adventure without me. I truly miss her and look forward to the time when we will be reunited.
Each Thanksgiving and Christmas at the Hyrum and Nellie Bennion home while I was growing up in Taylorsville is a wonderful memory. Even though I was very young during those celebrations, Donnetta stands out in my memory as one that I always looked forward to seeing. She always took an interest in me and I always felt important and special. She truly was blessed with a love of young children. I am so grateful for her place in my growing up and know that that gift of love has only been magnified even more now.
Donetta was like a second mother to me growing up. She was always so thoughtful and kind that she blessed my life and I've tried to be more like her. She will be missed.
I did not get to see her that much I wish I would have.
