| Sources |
- [S927] Obituary.
Leland "Lee" Robert Bender
July 5, 1938 - December 2, 2013
Leland Robert Bender, 75, passed away December 2, 2013, at his home in Idaho Falls with his wife and daughter by his side.
Lee was born July 5, 1938, in Dallas, South Dakota, to Robert and Emma Hoffman Bender, Lee was the third of four children. Lee grew up in the Dallas/Gregory community, helping on the family farm, where he learned a good work ethic that followed him during his lifetime.
In 1967 Lee married Darlene Nichols in Phoenix, Arizona, where they started a family. They had two ?awesome children? Greg and Janet. Moving back to Winner, South Dakota, Lee landed a job at Shippy Feed Lot?s where they lived until 1979. Lee took a job as Head Janitor of the Colome School in Colome, South Dakota. In 1986, they moved back to Phoenix where Lee worked for Pete King Paint and Drywall, before being transferred to Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2003, they moved to Idaho Falls. Lee was a member of the National Guard, when his unit was called to active duty during the Vietnam Era; however, he never saw battle.
Lee was a great Dad and an awesome Grandfather, also the best babysitter ever. After being a fairly strict Dad, Lee was a huge pushover for his grandchildren, Heather, Breanna, Mickey and Kira, spoiling the youngest rotten. Lee was a great help to many, never questioning why, just how can I help.
Lee was preceded in death by his father, Robert; mother, Emma; sister, Viola Bender Nichols, brother-in-law, Kenneth Nichols, nephews, Mickey Nichols and Andrew Bender, and a sister in-law, Judy Bender.
Lee will be missed by his wife, Darlene Bender of Idaho Falls: son, Greg (Brenda) of Winner, SD; daughter, Janet (Don Craig) of Idaho Falls; brothers: Harold Bender of Reliance, SD; Roland Bender of Mitchell, SD; Doug Bender of Gregory, SD; sister In-law , Doreen Nichols of Phoenix, AZ; brother in-law, Jim Nichols (Vickie) of Forest Grove, OR; Jeff Nichols (Jana) Bettendorf of IA; Terry Nichols (Laurie) of Carthage, MO; granddaughters: Heather (Matt Schroder) of Winner, SD; Breanna and Kira Steffen of Idaho Falls; grandson, Mickey Bender of Winner, SD; many nieces, nephews, and many family friends.
Memorial Services will be held Saturday December 7, 2013 at 11:00 am, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St., Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends one hour prior to the services. Military rites will be conducted by the Bonneville County Veterans Team and the Idaho Honor Guard.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com
|
1938 - 2013 (75 years)