Betty Imogene Bengston

Betty Imogene Bengston, 98 years young of Coal Valley, passed away Thursday, May 6, 2021, with her family peacefully at her home. Per her wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Milan is assisting the family with arrangements. Private inurnment will be in the Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. Memorials may be made to the family. 

Imogene was born on September 26, 1922, in Mason City, Iowa, a daughter of Moses and Margery (Bitterman) Brimm. She married Richard Bengston in June 1998 in Coal Valley. Imogene co-owned and operated the former Milan Open Air Market and Laundromat and she also worked at Servus Rubber. In her younger years she enjoyed dance and acrobat classes and riding her horses. Imogene also enjoyed gardening, sunbathing, painting, cooking, canning, and watching movies. She loved reading books and her crossword puzzles. Lonnie her cat was always at her side. 

Those left to cherish Imogene’s memory include her devoted husband, Richard; daughters, Cathy (Kevin Duckett) Sorrells, Laura Clemmer, Beverly Bengston; daughter-in-law, Peggy; grandchildren, Danny Brown and Jessica Tenorio (Marco Gibbens), Jacob Brown and Andrew Stolz, and their mother, Brenda, Breanna (Jesse) Clemmer and James, John and wife Camilla and son Nikolai, Cory, Austin, Tristan, Jayden, and Tracy; special son, James and his wife Lois and sons.

Imogene was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Bonnie; stepson, Alan; and faithful dog, Sara. May her strength and spirit always be with us.

Special thanks to Genesis Hospice Nurse Maggie and staff, and all the special nurses and doctors for their loving care.

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