Mary Catherine ‘Kate’ Bender
July 15, 2024 at 7:51 p.m.
Mary Catherine “Kate” Bender, age 94, of Wakarusa, died peacefully at 3:20 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2024, at her residence after a brief illness.
She was born April 8, 1930, in Etna Green, to Edward and Mary Schlabach Stutzman. On Jan. 9, 1949, she married Francis M. Bender at North Main Street Mennonite Church in Nappanee. He preceded in death Sept. 17, 2023.
Kate was a graduate of Etna Green High School and a homemaker. She was a member of Nappanee Missionary Church and a former member of Living Gospel Church. She was very artistic and loved to paint.
Surviving are her sons, Steve (Ida) Bender, New Paris; Phil (Patty) Bender, Fishers; Curtis John (Deb) Bender, New Paris; 11 grandchildren: Steve (Jenny) Perek, Jonathan Bender, Jeremy (Alisa) Bender, Greg (Jessica) Myers, Tyler (Lauren) Bender, Tara Bender, Bryce (Trisha) Perkins, Jordan (Jessica) Bender, Lucas (Lindsey) White, Kelsey (Brad) Bullock, Austin (Whittley) Bender; 25 great-grandchildren; and sister, Velma Miller, Goshen.
Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 19 and for one hour prior to the 10:30 a.m. Celebration of Life service Saturday, July 20, all at Nappanee Missionary Church. Pastor Jason Rohde will officiate. Inurnment will be in South Union Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Gideons or World Missionary Press.
Mary Catherine “Kate” Bender, age 94, of Wakarusa, died peacefully at 3:20 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2024, at her residence after a brief illness.
She was born April 8, 1930, in Etna Green, to Edward and Mary Schlabach Stutzman. On Jan. 9, 1949, she married Francis M. Bender at North Main Street Mennonite Church in Nappanee. He preceded in death Sept. 17, 2023.
Kate was a graduate of Etna Green High School and a homemaker. She was a member of Nappanee Missionary Church and a former member of Living Gospel Church. She was very artistic and loved to paint.
Surviving are her sons, Steve (Ida) Bender, New Paris; Phil (Patty) Bender, Fishers; Curtis John (Deb) Bender, New Paris; 11 grandchildren: Steve (Jenny) Perek, Jonathan Bender, Jeremy (Alisa) Bender, Greg (Jessica) Myers, Tyler (Lauren) Bender, Tara Bender, Bryce (Trisha) Perkins, Jordan (Jessica) Bender, Lucas (Lindsey) White, Kelsey (Brad) Bullock, Austin (Whittley) Bender; 25 great-grandchildren; and sister, Velma Miller, Goshen.
Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 19 and for one hour prior to the 10:30 a.m. Celebration of Life service Saturday, July 20, all at Nappanee Missionary Church. Pastor Jason Rohde will officiate. Inurnment will be in South Union Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Gideons or World Missionary Press.