Veronica Lucille "Bonnie" Bender, 87, El Dorado Springs, was born on Oct. 30, 1916, on a farm near Emmett, KS, to Phillip Joyce and Lettie (Cooper) Joyce. She passed away Dec. 20, 2003, at Cedar County Memorial Hospital after a short illness.
Bonnie attended business school in Manhatten, KS, where she met her future husband, Henry A. Bender. They were married on Aug. 30, 1941, and shared 62 years together. Until his retirement, she served as office manager and bookkeeper for his veterinary practice.
Bonnie was a loving mother and grandmother and a constant source of strength and inspiration to her family. She loved to play bridge, bowl, dance, travel and was especially proud of her Irish heritage.
She was a devout Catholic and her faith was a constant source of comfort to her. Bonnie was always ready to help her church, community, friends and those in need. She and her husband established the Bender Family Trust to support local community projects and services. Bonnie was a member of St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church, El Dorado Springs.
She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and four sisters.
Survivors include her husband, Dr. Henry A. Bender - of the home; children - Judith Ann Alexiou and husband-Arthur - Jefferson City; Susan Kay Eaton and husband-Lowell - Harrisburg; Robert (Butch) Harrison Bender and wife-Kathy - Gladstone; Thomas Vincent Bender and wife-Deana - Westwood Hills, KS; 10 grandchildren; one great-grand¬child; and 10 nieces and nephews.
Family Mass was held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24, at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church, El Dorado Springs. Burial was in the El Dorado Springs City Cemetery under direction of the Sheldon Funeral Home, El Dorado Springs.
The family request contributions to El Dorado Springs Community Foundation, Bender Family Trust or St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church Building Fund in care of the Sheldon Funeral Home.
