Gary Bennett, age 77 of Eveleth, died Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Essentia St. Mary’s in Duluth.  He was born Sept. 18, 1948, in Duluth, the son of Donald and Dorothy Sausman.  He grew up in Duluth and worked on the Ore boats until he joined the U.S. Army 1968-1970, He married Vivian (Rosand) in 1972, and they moved to Aurora. They had two daughters and were married for 23 years. He worked at Erie Mining Company/LTV as a production truck driver until retirement in 2001. 
Gary married Judy (Cline) Beise on November 15, 1996. They continued to live in Aurora until 2013 when they moved to Murphy Lake.  He loved the outdoors, fishing, ice fishing and bird hunting.  He enjoyed tinkering in his garage, collecting coins, and watching movies.  He had a big heart and was a foster parent for 29 years.  He especially enjoyed time spent with his family.
    Gary is survived by his wife of 29 years:  Judy, children:  Jodi (John) Backman of Pike, David (Margit) Beise of Aurora, Renee (Tom) Sherek of Aurora, Jennifer Bennett of Hibbing, Travis Bennett of Britt, Leland Clawson of Zim, Hannah Clawson of Rosemount, and Adin Swatek of Eveleth;  Siblings:  Bruce (Claudia) Bennett of Duluth, and Linda Salo of Gilbert;  grandchildren:  Eric Backman, Ashley Backman, Mariah Morse, Cadin Baker, Jonathan Beise, Victoria Thorsen, Hailey Beise, Alan Wessman, Gary Wessman, Dylan DeHart, Cory DeHart, Justin Trautman, and Kiley Denne:  and great-grandchildren:  Brylee, Keenan, Noah, and Kharma.
    Gary was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Dena; and siblings Willie, Earl, LeRoy, and Donnie. 
    The visitation will be at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Aurora on Saturday, January 17, from 10:00 am until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00.  Father David Forsman, celebrant.  Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Aurora.  Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.  To leave a remembrance online, see www.baumanfuneralhome.com.