Lanell Mae Bennett

October 15, 1949 – January 20, 2025 – Lanell Mae Bennett (Linker), 75, of Oregon City, died at her home on January 20, 2025. She was born October 15, 1949, to Rudolph Linker and Lucy Linker (Palacz) in Oregon City. Lanell graduated from Holy Child Academy in Portland, Oregon, in 1967. She then began undergraduate studies at Portland State University and completed an Associate of Science in General Studies degree at Clackamas Community College in December 1978. Lanell was employed by the City of Oregon City as a clerk from June 1967 to November 1970. She was then employed by the Clackamas County Clerk’s Office from October 1971 to June 1975. Lanell was then employed by the City of West Linn, as a Police Dispatcher and Municipal Court Clerk from June 1975 to December 1982. She also served as a reserve Police Officer with the City of West Linn during this time.

Lanell married Darrell Bennett on December 19, 1981. They had one son, Gregory Bennett, who was born in 1985. After the birth of their son, Lanell spent much of her time volunteering in the community, at Greg’s schools, and as coordinator (1994-1997) of the Block Home program on behalf of the West Linn Police Department. She also volunteered with Cub Scout Pack 149, and later Boy Scout Troop 149 in West Linn.

After moving to La Pine, Oregon in 2003 after Darrell’s retirement, they remained active in the Boy Scouts with Troop 36 of La Pine. Lanell joined the Lions Club in La Pine and served as the chartered organization representative for units sponsored by the Lions. Lanell also served on the Safety & Emergency committee of the Ponderosa Pines Property Owners association, coordinating grant programs to improve neighborhood resiliency to wildfire under the Firewise USA program.

Lanell and Darrell moved back to Oregon City in 2015. Lanell continued her work with the Lions and Scouts; she was a charter member of Troop 555, one of the first all-girl troops and the first to produce an Eagle scout in Oregon. She also served as chartered organization representative for other units sponsored by the West Linn Lions. In her spare time, Lanell did work with Genealogy for hers and extended family, was a member of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, and was an avid quilter. Lanell was predeceased by her husband, Darrell, in 2021.

Lanell is survived by her son Gregory Bennett of Portland; her brother Lavine Linker of West Linn; stepdaughter Debra Wheeler; step-granddaughters Jordan Phillips and Alisha Leloff; and great grandchildren Rhemy and Tehron Phillips II, all of Happy Valley.

A memorial service will be held at 10 am on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Holman-Hankins-Bowker & Waud, 715 7th Street, Oregon City. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Cascade Pacific Council, Scouting America.