Lynn E. Bender
Lynn E. Bender, 88, of Mt. Pleasant, died Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant.
Lynn was born February 28, 1936 in Palisade, NE, the third son of Harley David and Ardith Geneva (McCleland) Bender. He moved with his family to Powell, WY, where he graduated in the Class of 1954 from Powell High School. Lynn entered the United States Army on May 20, 1958 in Butte, MT. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion Group, 3rd Infantry, Company B – the “Old Guard”. He participated in numerous ceremonial events involving dignitaries from the United States and around the world. He was honorably discharged on May 19, 1960, at Fort Myer, Arlington, VA.
On July 30, 1961 at the Methodist Church in Newcastle, WY, Lynn was united in marriage to Maxine Jean Schneider.
Lynn began his working career with Bell Telephone. In 1962, he took a position with Contel in Custer, SD. Lynn was transferred to Sundance, WY, then to Columbus Junction, Lone Tree and Richland, IA, concluding his time with the Contel/GTE in Mt. Pleasant, from which he retired in 1994. Lynn did his best to enjoy retirement but missed working and accepted the position as Assistant Manager of the Iowa Wesleyan College Physical Plant, where he later became Manager. Upon his retirement from Iowa Wesleyan, Lynn took a job at Bezoni’s True Value Hardware.
Lynn was very active in every community in which he lived. He was a former member of the Custer Commercial Club, the Custer Jaycees and the Jaycees of Sundance. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce in every city in which he resided. He was a former member of the Masonic Lodge, Shrine and Eastern Star.
When he resided in Lone Tree, he was a member of the Lone Tree Volunteer Fire Department. Lynn was a member of the Olds United Church of Christ where he was a Deacon and taught Sunday School. He was a member of the Olds Lions Club.
He also served on the Olds City Council.
Those thankful for sharing in Lynn’s life include his wife of 63 years, Maxine; their children – Penny Bender-Penfield & Tony McElhinney of Crawfordsville, David & Alisa Bender of Rapid City, SD and Barb & Kenneth Shelman of Olds, IA; his brother – Jerry & Lila Bender and sister-in-law, Shirley Bender, all of Vancouver, WA; his grandchildren – Kyle & Kelli Penfield and their children Kylee, Kynlee and Kayden of Olds; Lyndsey & Robert Beyer and son Maxwell of Johnstown, CO; Jaxon Molly Penfield and Justin Kinney and their son Porter of Laramie, WY; Harley Bender of Rapid City, SD; Begimai Aibekova of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Brandan & Kate Shelman and their children, Kaiya, Landry and Avery; Ryan & Stacy Shelman and their children Keaton and Kinsley; Nathan & Kylie Shelman and their children Bennett, Beckett and June; many nieces, nephews, extended family, great friends and neighbors including Buzz and Barb Bezoni; the children of his late neighbor Jean Sammons – Charlie & Shirley Wandling, Jane Sammons & Jay Speckeen, Sue & Tom Hill and Judy Sammons; neighbor Thelma O’Neill and his special fur friend, “Peggy” O’Neill.
His parents, twin brothers Dave & Dale Bender, nephew Mitchell Bender, and dear neighbor Jean Sammons precede Lynn in death.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, which is assisting Lynn’s family with the arrangements.
Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the family for a charity to be chosen at a later date.