Donald Bender

Donald F. Bender, age 87 of Henderson, was currently residing at Oak Terrace Assisted Living in Le Sueur, died on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at the Ridgeview Le Sueur Medical Center. Funeral Service will be 11:00 am on Saturday, August 25 at Centennial Lutheran Church in Henderson. Visitation will be from 3-8 pm on Friday at Centennial Lutheran Church, and two hours prior to service time on Saturday. Interment will be in Brown Cemetery, Henderson. A luncheon will follow at the Henderson Roadhaus Event Center. Don was born in Fulda, MN on January 13, 1931 to Frederick and Dorothy (Behr) Bender. After growing up in Henderson, Don graduated from Henderson High School. He married Vivian Carlson on June 5, 1953 in Belview, MN. The couple purchased the Coast to Coast Hardware Store in Henderson in 1955 and owned and operated the store through 1980. He drove school bus for the Henderson School and cherished his 60 years driving for them. He also drove truck for Hallett Construction. After retirement he drove gravel truck for Robert "Orangy" Lawrence. Don had also sold cemetery monuments for McGraw Monuments. He was a member of the Brown Cemetery Board, and caretaker for years. He was a charter member of the Henderson Lions Club, member/treasurer of the Henderson Fire Dept. for 36 years, Henderson Mayor, member of the Henderson Businessmen's Association/Chamber of Commerce, and member of Centennial Lutheran Church. Don's passions were woodworking, family camping, and going on road trips. Most of all, he thoroughly enjoyed his ice cream and popcorn. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Vivian; and sister, Dolores. He is survived by his children: Deb (Ed) Miller of Le Sueur, Tom (LaDonna) Bender of Henderson, and Kent (Cathy) Bender of Bozeman, MT; seven grandchildren: Alissa (Mark) Dahn, Marsha (Brian) Edel, Shayne (Allison) Bender, Lynnea (Cody) Wetzel, Taryn (Erik) Rice, Cal (fiancé, Kelsey) Bender & Cody Bender; 9 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.