Mrs. Carolyn (Hutteger) Bening, age 77, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and love on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at her home. It was a beautiful ending to an amazing and beautiful life. She was more spiritual than religious, but she went on her next great adventure on Passover. Carolyn was born in El Monte, Ca., the daughter of Melvin and Wiona (Meyr) Hutteger. She was married in Dresden, Tn. to Dennis Bening who survives at the home. Carolyn was an English teacher at Jefferson City Senior High from 1972 to 1999, responsible for teaching College Prep and developing curriculum. In addition to her graduate studies and teaching at The Lab School at the University of Missouri, she was a member of The Humanities Institute of Cambridge. In order to pursue her love of art, she established Cottonstone Gallery in Jefferson City in 1983. Over the years, she left her footprints around the globe, traveling to China, Scotland, Canada, England, Germany, Mexico, Italy, Costa Rica, Greece and Switzerland. Carolyn is survived by her husband of 55 years, Dennis Bening; one daughter, Jennifer Zimmer (husband, Randy); one brother, Lyle Hutteger (Susan); one sister, Cynthia Lewis; two sisters-in-law, Elverna Voelkel, and LaVerne Bening; and numerous nieces and nephews. Her spirit lives on in her wonderful grandchildren, Zachary and Adeline Zimmer, along with her foreign exchange children, Andres Ramirez of Chile, Davide Lazzari of Italy, Aurora Lucie Henriksen of Norway, and Sumiran Singh Parmar of India. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers-in-law, Clyde Voelkel, Wayne Bening, and Norbert Bening; one niece, Sarah Smith Coon; and one nephew, David Bening. After cremation, Carolyn’s ashes will be scattered on Sanibel Island, Fl. A Celebration of Life is planned at Serenity Valley Winery in Millersburg on June 19, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to a nonprofit foundation to be established in her name. Donations will be received by Freeman Mortuary at P.O. Box 95, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.