Martha BENDER

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BENDER: Martha Bender of Brandon, Manitoba passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at the Brandon Regional Hospital in her 95th year. Martha was born on June 27, 1914, the eighth child of twelve, to Gustav and Carolina (Hack) Heinemann on the family farm in the Qu’Appelle Valley south of Neudorf, Saskatchewan. She attended Ducks Point School, near the home farm, in the Qu'Appelle Valley. On April 1, 1934 she was united in marriage to George Jacob Bender. They farmed in the Neudorf, Saskatchewan district until 1953, and then moved to Sinclair, Manitoba district and farmed until their retirement to Virden, Manitoba in 1973. After her husband George passed away in 1990 she remained in Virden for a number of years and then moved to Reston, Manitoba. Later in 2000 she moved to Brandon and resided at the Sokol Manor until her passing. Martha had a strong unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and enjoyed the worship and fellowship in all the different church communities that she was part of. Her family was a very important part of her life and her home was always an open and welcoming gathering place. Any surprise visits were always received with joy and gladness. She had a gift of cooking and baking, and always provided your special favorite dish to treat you with. Martha especially loved children and would often give a stuffed toy for them to take home. She was truly a sharing and caring person and was always concerned with the welfare of others. Martha loved visiting, chatting, and spent many hours on the phone staying connected with all those in her life, which were many. The visits and phone calls of family, relatives, and friends were always cherished. Martha was thankful for her life, and felt she had been blessed, and was looking forward to her new home in heaven. Martha was predeceased by her husband George; an infant son; son Ronald; daughter Greta; son-in-law Bill Page; parents Gustav and Carolina Heinemann; brothers Fred, Carl, John and Peter; and sisters Mary, Clara, Elizabeth, and Annette. She is survived by daughter Eileen (Chuck) Mayert of Brandon, Manitoba; sons: Eugene (Betty) Bender of Virden, Manitoba, Douglas Bender of Parksville, British Columbia, and Richard (Debbie) Bender of Yorkton, Saskatchewan; daughter-in-law Mildred Hepner of Brandon, Manitoba; 12 grandchildren: Sherry (Bob), Terry (Robyn), Brad (Christine), Vaughn (Debbie), Perry (Gale), Carla (Chris), Michael (Jocelyn), Lisa (David), Erica (Wade), Troy (Vanessa), Jonathan (Nicole), and Tara (Josh); 29 great grandchildren; 10 great great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. The funeral service was held on Saturday, August 1, 2009 from Redeemer Lutheran Church, Brandon, Manitoba with Pastor Ted Jannuska of Redeemer Lutheran Church officiating. The scripture reading was Psalm 23 and hymns: “The Lord’s My Shepherd”, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”, and “O Master Let Me Walk With Thee” were sung by the family and congregation. Active Pallbearers were grandsons: Terry Mayert, Vaughn Bender, Perry Bender, Michael Bender, Troy Bender, and Jonathan Bender. A reception followed in the church’s lower level at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Interment followed in the Virden, Manitoba cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Redeemer Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 114 Ashgrove Blvd., Brandon, Manitoba R7B 1E1. Arrangements were entrusted to Memories Chapel, Brandon, Manitoba.

As published in Brandon Sun on Sep 05, 2009