Bess Dean, 97, died Aug. 5, 2009, at Hester Care Center at Wesley Towers, Hutchinson.

She was born July 19, 1912, at Kill Creek in Osborne County, the daughter of Judd R. and Eva Salome Snyder Benwell. She was a graduate of Osborne High School. She was a homemaker.

She moved to Hutchinson, with her husband, Jimmie Dean, in 1949 from Dodge City. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, the Together and Fidelis Sunday School Classes, church choir and UMW, all of the church; the Wesley Singers at Wesley Towers; the Silverleaf Chapter #464 Order of Eastern Star, and a former member of the Reno Co. Historical Museum and volunteer at the museum. For several years, she was the chairperson of the plant booth at the Trinity UMC Bazaar. She enjoyed music and singing, as well as plants and flowers.

She married James H. "Jimmie" Dean on May 14, 1933. He died October 6, 1994.

Survivors include: a son, James B. Dean, and his wife, Gail Cohen, Denver; two grandchildren, Cynthia Vosburgh and husband, Craig, Colorado Springs, Colo., and James M. Dean, Ft. Worth, Texas; and one step-granddaughter, Sheree Benson, Los Angeles, Calif.; three great-grandchildren, Brock, Zachary and Gretchen Vosburgh, Colorado Springs, Colo. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister and brother-in-law, Mabel and Ernie Fletcher; and a brother and sister-in-law, Orville and Megs Benwell.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Trinity United Methodist Church. A visitation will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Sunday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will greet friends 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Fairlawn Burial Park.

Memorial contributions may be given to Trinity United Methodist Church, Wesley Towers Foundation or Promise Regional Medical Center Foundation, sent in care of the Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, Kansas 67501.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave the family a personal condolence.