Kenny Bender

A celebration of life for Kenny R. Bender, 63 of Washington will be held Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 2:30PM at the Washington United Methodist Church in Washington. Burial will follow at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 29, 2012 from noon until 8PM at the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington where the family will greet friends from 5 unitl 8PM. A memorial fund for the family has been established. Kenny Bender died Friday, May 25 at the University of Iowa Hospital following complications of surgery.

Kenneth Ray Bender was born May 30, 1948 in Kalona, Iowa the son of Monroe and Barbara (Coblentz) Bender. He was united in marriage to Bernice Dayton on July 8, 1972 in Washington. For the past 17 years Kenny had been employed at the Walmart Warehouse in Mt. Pleasant where he operated a forklift. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, especially taking them to Iowa Hawkeye Basketball games and watching their sporting events. He also enjoyed fishing and bowling.

Survivors include his wife Bernice, of Washington, three children, Angie and husband Troy Suchan of Washington, Michael Bender of Kalona, Shannon Bender and boyfriend Zach Fritz of Washington, a daughter in law, Vickie Bender of Washington, nine grandchildren, Dakota, Caleb, Noah and Emma Suchan, Drake and Jarrett Bender, Austin, Ethan and Elijah Scheef, two brothers, Lloyd and wife Joyce Bender of Kalona, Cletus and wife Mary Bender of Columbus Junction, and three sisters, Clara Mae and husband Web Rhodes of Minnesota, Salinda and husband Bill Swartzendruber of Bellevue, NE, and Donna and husband Fred Rhodes of Columbiana, OH.

Preceding Kenny in death were his parents.