Bennie G. Desmond, formerly of McCook, Nebraska passed away at Decatur Health in Oberlin, Kansas on March 9, 2021. He was 91 years old.
He entered this world on February 11, 1930 to Harry F. and Georgia L. (Fisher) Desmond.
At a very young age, Bennie enlisted in the Army in 1946. He was inducted and served 18 months in Manilla in the Philippian Islands being honorably discharged in October 1947. He later joined the US Navy serving on the USS DeHaven in Korea from January 1952 till December 1955 when he was honorably discharged.
Bennie returned to McCook, Nebraska where he worked for the Bureau of Reclamation. He moved to Omaha, Nebraska where he attended Barber School in 1947. He married Rosalie M. Palmer on July 24, 1951. To this union 3 children were born: Bennie Jr., Dannie and Marilyn. They would have celebrated their 70th Anniversary this year. In 1964 he moved to Cambridge, Nebraska to raise his family and work as a barber for Coonie Miller.
In the 80’s Bennie and Rose moved to McCook, Nebraska and opened West Side Beauty and Barber Shop until they retired. Bennie had many jobs in his life but cutting hair and telling stories was his passion along with working side by side with his wife. Bennie was a former member of the Cambridge Fire Department and one of the first EMT’s in the State of Nebraska. Bennie enjoyed camping, fishing and traveling with his camper. He had many walleye head angler certificates. Most of all, he loved following his children’s and grandchildren’s activities. He was an avid fan of baseball and one of his favorite memories was in 2012 when his sons took him to Chicago to watch the Cubs play his beloved Yankees. The game went 10 innings and to his enjoyment the Yankees won. Bennie was an enthusiastic Husker football fan when they were winning!! He also enjoyed working on his lawn and in his garden.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry F. Desmond and Georgia L. (Fisher) Desmond; his in-laws: Earl “Jackie” and Lizzy Belle (Bates) Palmer; brothers-in-law Darrell Palmer, Jerry Bennett; sister-in-law Ila (LeRoy) Potter and Gail (Gail) Kasson.
Bennie is survived by his wife Rosalie “Rose” Desmond of Oberlin, KS; sons Bennie Jr. and wife Rhonda of Torrington, WY, Dannie and wife Terri of Lincoln, NE; daughter: Marilyn and husband Steve Diederich of Oberlin KS; grandchildren: Jennifer (Jeremy) Gehle, Dirk (Sarah) Desmond, Morgan (Amy) Desmond, David Desmond, Colt (Erika) Diederich, Brandi (Evan) McConnell, Spring (Kerry) Louderback, Ryan (Arlie) Diederich; great grandchildren; Deacon Gehle, Sam and Brody Desmond, Grace, Ayden, Easton Desmond, Dexton, Chett and Charley Diederich, Stella and Nora McConnell, Gemma and Knox Louderback, Gus and Patton Diederich; brother Robert “Bob” (Catherine) of Loveland, CO; and his nieces and a nephew, and a host of friends.
In keeping with Bennie’s request for cremation, a memorial service will be held at the McCook Christian Church in McCook, NE on Friday, March 19th, at 10:30 am with Reverend Clark Bates. Interment will be in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell, NE at 2:00 pm on March 19, 2021 with Military Honors. Friends may leave on-line condolences at herrmannfh.com.
Memorials may be left in Bennie’s name to either the McCook Legion Baseball program or the Good Samaritan Society of Oberlin, KS.
Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook, NE entrusted with arrangements.