Helen Bender

Helen Edna Bender, 92, of Howards Grove, passed away Saturday, September 13, 2014 at Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center. Helen was born October 9, 1921 in the Town of Herman, to the late Emil and Waleske (Stecker) Ney. She was married to Rudolph Bender of Cleveland on May 23, 1942. He preceded her in death on September 2, 1976. Helen was a charter member of the Park Lawn Auxiliary for 20 years and was treasurer for all that time. She was a Sunday school teacher and treasurer for thirteen years of St. John's UCC, Schwarzwald, where they were members. She worked for Club Bill-Mar for 15 years and 18 years for Stoeckigt's Ballroom and Hickory House. She was also the custodian for both Zimmer Funeral Homes, a crossing guard for over 12 years, took care of the two parks in Howards Grove, the old Village office, Public Works office and the So Big Children School. She was also a member of the Howards Grove Fire Department Auxiliary, the Women's Guild of St. John's UCC. Helen was a member for many years of the Manitowoc County Farm Bureau. Survivors include her son, Dale (Jane) Bender; her daughter, Faye (Rodney) Aschenbach; grandchildren, Heather (Shannon) Vanderkin, Jonathan Bender, Joshua (Marie) Bender and Jennifer (John) Moreland; great-grandchildren, Dakota Reichardt, Dayton and Dani Vanderkin and Zachary Moreland; step-grandchildren, Jennifer (Tony) Kober and Joseph (Samantha) Reglin; step-great-grandchildren, A.J., Katerina and Keli Kober, Hope and JR Reglin. Four brothers; Clarence (Violet) Ney, Louis Ney, George (Dorothy) Ney and Harold (Jean) Ney, one sister; Caroline Malchek, one sister-in-law; Francis (Glady) Doughman. Also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death one grandson, Tyler Aschenbach, one brother, Nelson Ney, one sister, Evangeline Engelbrecht, two brothers-in-law, Norbert Malchek and Alfred Engelbrecht, sister-in-law, Ruth Ney. A visitation will be held at St. John's United Church of Christ, Schwarzwald (3401 Orchard Road, Town Herman) on Friday, September 19 from 12:00 PM until 4:00 PM. Funeral Service at 4:00 PM, with the Rev. Melinda Feller officiating. Burial to follow in the St. John's UCC Cemetery. Memorials to the family are appreciated. A special thanks to the nurses on 4K at Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Hospital for their care and support.