Phyllis Bender

A celebration of life for Phyllis Bender, 70, of Wellman will be held Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 2:00PM at the Kalona Mennonite Church in Kalona. Burial will follow at the Wellman Public Cemetery in Wellman. Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 16, 2011 from 2-7PM and Wed. morning from 9-11 AM at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona.  A memorial fund has been established for the Humane Society.  Phyllis Bender died Saturday, August 13, 2011 at her home following a sudden illness.

Phyllis J. Goodwin, lovingly known as Goodie, Cookie, Goldie, Daffodil and Two Shoes for Ronnie, was born October 2, 1940 the daughter of Darrell and Dorothy (TeBockhorst) Goodwin.  She graduated from Wellman High School in 1958 where she had been the drum majorette and was on the homecoming court. On July 14, 1958 she was united in marriage to Gene Bender in Eaton Town, NJ.  She worked as a secretary at Hagen's TV Repair in Iowa City of many years, and in 1984 she became an Avon representative.  She was a member of the Red Hat Society and enjoyed spending time with her family, especially the get-togethers with her cousins and her 'seesters'. Phyllis was known to stop anywhere a sale sign could be found.

Survivors include her husband, Gene of Wellman, two daughters, Tammy (Allan) Davis of Lutz, FL, Kimberly (Mike) Hora of Wellman, and two step grandchildren, Jon and Lizzie Hora.

Preceding Phyllis in death were her parents, and one son, Bryan Lee Bender in February of 1985.