Johanna "Ann" Dykgraaf Bennett October 16, 1928 ~ February, 2025

Johanna "Ann" Dykgraaf Bennett was born on October 16, 1928, in Rotterdam (Holland), Netherlands, to Pieter and Ottillia "Tilly" Looren DeJong Dykgraaf.
Ann grew up and attended school in Rotterdam. At 11 years old, Ann experienced the German invasion and bombing of North Rotterdam in May 1940.
She was always grateful to have come to the United States after living through World War II in the Netherlands. Ann married and had a daughter, Ineke Van der Burght, born in March, 1949 in Rotterdam.
Ann had promised herself that she would one day see New York City. Ann's father, Pieter, worked with the Dutch Resistance and the Allies during World War II. Her father and mother came to the United States in 1952, where, due to his work with the Allies, her father was given a job in Monticello, UT, at the Uranium Mill.
Ann traveled by ship from Rotterdam to New York City, arriving at Ellis Island on August 11, 1953. She then traveled by bus to live with her parents in Monticello.
Soon after arriving in Monticello, Ann had two jobs; washing dishes and typing at the San Juan County Courthouse.
She soon met Benjamin Franklin "Frank" Haller, and they married, having two sons, James in November 1955 and Pieter in July 1959.
They lived in Monticello at the Uranium Mill employee housing, as Frank was also employed at the Uranium Mill. Eventually, they moved east of Monticello to the Haller family homestead, where Frank farmed and worked the land.
Ann loved living on a farm, she loved the open space, clean air and taking care of the animals. One of Ann's proudest days came on June 9, 1967, when she earned her US citizenship papers.
After her divorce from Frank, Ann married Jewell "Sonny" Bennett of Cortez, CO. They married in March, 1974. Ann, Sonny, and their family lived in Cortez.
Ann was a vibrant part of her community, participating in the American Legion Auxiliary, Elks Lodge, Dutch Red Hat Club, and Emblem Club. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which she had joined in Rotterdam.
Ann passed away at Vista Grande Nursing Home in Cortez, CO in February, 2025. She is preceded in death by her husband Sonny Bennett, parents, sister Bastianntje "Jeanne" Dykgraaf Leeflang, brother-in-law Arie Leeflang, daughter Ineke, and son Pieter.
Ann is survived by son James (Sherie) Haller of Monticello, daughter-in-law Terry Lynn (Mark) Robinson of Monticello, granddaughters Lacy Haller (Matthew) Chadwick of Roy, UT, Kimberly Haller Black of Monticello, Sarah Haller of Price, UT, grandsons Benjamin Haller of Monticello, and Martin (Diane) Schlaghecke, Remy Schlaghecke, and Rene (Marleen) Schlaghecke, all of the Netherlands. Ann also had seven great-granddaughters and three great-grandsons.
A graveside service will be held at a later date, when Ann will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Sonny Bennett. Ann’s story is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for growth and resiliency. She battled Alzeheimer’s Disease and in the last year of her life, she battled cancer.
We would like to thank the staff at Vista Mesa Assisted Living for their sixteen years of love and care for Ann. Ann had many friends there, including other residents and staff members.