Obituary of Gideon A. Bender

Gideon A. Bender, age 90 of Menno passed away Tuesday, August 02, 2016 at the Menno-Olivet Care Center, Menno, SD. Online condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in care of the Aisenbrey-Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Menno, SD. Pallbearers are Julie Crick, Jennifer Clark, Neil McKeeman, Lisa Nelsen, Elizabeth Crosby, Kevin Bender, Matthew Bender and Joseph Bender. Gideon Andrew Bender was born at home on November 15, 1925 to Christina (nee Mettler) and Friedrich (Fred) Bender, Jr. He was baptized January 10, 1926 by Rev. Bodenman in the Salem Reformed Church and confirmed June 23, 1940 in the same church by Rev. Kaempchen. His confirmation verse was I Timothy 6:12 — “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” Gideon was the youngest of 10 sons and grew up on the family farm two miles west of Menno. He attended Menno Public School for twelve years, graduating May, 1944. On May 5, 1946 Gideon married Gladys Belva Jean Handel. To this union were born four children: Georjean, Gary, Gene, and Frederick. The first eight months of their marriage they lived with Gideon's parents on the family farm west of Menno and, after his parents retired to Menno, Gideon and Gladys farmed on that farm all of their married life. One of their proudest moments was when it was designated a Century Farm in 2004. They celebrated their sixtieth anniversary before Gladys's death April 9, 2007. Gideon continued to live on the farm until January 2011 when his health required that he move into the Menno-Olivet Care Center. Until that move he had lived on the farm his entire life. Gideon was a member of Salem Reformed Church all of his life. For a number of years he taught Sunday school and served on the church's consistory. He was chairman of the building committee in 1964 when the present church was built. Gideon was active in his community. For many years he served on the board of Sweet Township. He also served on the boards of the Menno Lumber Yard and the Farmers' Grain and Stock Company. He was instrumental in getting FFA re-started in Menno High School in the early 60's and was named a Chapter Farmer. He chaired the James Valley Apartments when they were started in 1964. Gideon was chairman of the group that secured the certificate of need that lead to the building of the Menno-Olivet Care Center in 1970-1971. Gideon loved to joke and enjoyed singing. His favorite time of year was harvest. He was strong in his faith. Gideon leaves behind three children: Georjean (Bruce) McKeeman, Gene (Sandi) Bender and Frederick (Katherine) Bender; eight grandchildren: Matthew (Chanda) Bender, Jennifer (Colin) Clark, Neil McKeeman, Lisa (Rickey) Nelsen, Elizabeth (Don) Crosby, Kevin (Kristy) Bender, Julie (Ben) Crick, and Joseph (LeAnna) Bender; ten great-grandchildren: Ella Bender, Cecelia Bender, Miles Bender, Leah Crick, Ruby Bender, Trent Crick, Laura Crick, Preston Bender, Sean Clark, and Brooke Bender; two sisters-in-law, Betty Bender and Bobbi Handel; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Gladys (2007), his son Gary (1987), his parents and all of his brothers — Herbert (1940), Edwin (1986), Richard (1981), Arnold (1997), Helmuth (2004), Leon (1916), Delmer (2012), Orin (2001) and Calvin (1987).