Muriel Bennett Van Berkem

Muriel Bennett Van Berkem was born in Mountain Home, Idaho, on Nov. 11, 1914. At age 95, she passed away on March 17, 2010, in Woodinville, Wash.

Muriel was born into the sheep ranching and farming family of her beloved mother and father, Fred and Mayme Bennett. She had a lifelong love of southern Idaho. In her heart, it always remained her "home" and she continued throughout her life to spend summers there.

A graduate of the University of Washington, she was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Muriel was a talented pianist and had a wonderful soprano singing voice. She performed professionally in her younger years, and later performed as a member of the Seattle Symphony Chorale.

In 1941, she married John Van Berkem, who later retired as a senior vice president and general manager of the Pacific Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

Muriel's most treasured role in life was as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John, her sister, Fran Bennett Kirkwood, and her brother, Walt Bennett.

Muriel is survived by her two sons, Tom and Dave, their wives, Cathy and Peggy, her grandson, Ben, and her granddaughter, Alia.

She will be greatly missed by her loving and devoted family and by the many people whose lives she touched.

At Muriel's request, there will be no memorial service.

In her memory, she requested that any donations be sent to the Salvation Army.