Elsie Katherine Bender

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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Elsie Bender, beloved mother, grandmother and sister. Elsie Bender passed away peacefully to be with her Lord and Saviour on Saturday, August 15, 2020, at the age of 92 years.

Elsie was born on a farm near Killaly, Saskatchewan, on December 3, 1927, to Herman and Sophie (nee Schick) Waldbauer. She was one of 10 children (two of whom died as infants). She was baptized into the Christian faith on January 8, 1928, and confirmed her faith on December 7, 1941. Elsie married Alfred Bender in 1951 and lived in Neudorf, Saskatchewan, until 2014 when she moved to Caleb Village in Melville. In spring of 2020, she moved for a short time to Helping Hands in Melville, and then in June of 2020, she moved to the Langenburg Centennial Special Care Home where she passed away.

Elsie was a great cook, baker and homemaker, and cared wonderfully for her family who always came first in her life. She had a huge vegetable garden and spent many early mornings in her garden. She spent hours canning and preserving vegetables and fruit of all kinds, making pickles, jams, jellies and homemade ketchup. We kids loved her homemade ketchup. Elsie was very involved in the Christ Lutheran Church ladies’ groups and also in later years with the Neudorf Golden Sunset Club. She loved spending time with her friends, playing cards and bingo and visiting in the coffee shop. Elsie was a fun-loving and very social lady. We always knew that if she didn’t answer her phone, it was because she was out socializing.

In the last few years, Elsie slowed down a bit when she broke her hip and then dealt with increasingly poor eyesight. What didn’t change right to the end was her sense of humour and quiet, uncomplaining manner, regardless of her circumstances.

Elsie is survived by her loving children: daughter Marlene (Garry); son Merv (Vicki), their children Kyle (Linda), Justin (Shari) and their daughter Avery; son Byron; and daughter Daphne. She is also survived by one sister, Kathleen, of Melville, Saskatchewan, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Alfred; parents Herman and Sophie (nee Schick) Waldbauer; brothers Edward and John; sisters Ida, Evelyn, Doreen and Bernice; infant siblings Albert and Janet; as well as nephews Myron, Terry, Garry, Kelly, Wayne, Glen and Blaine.

A huge “Thank You” to our sister Daphne, from Marlene, Merv and Byron, for the selfless and loving care you provided to Mom. You gave up your Mondays off for many years and spent countless hours taking care of Mom’s needs at the expense of your own needs. She loved seeing you and knew she could rely on you to drop everything and drive for at least an hour to be with her.

Thank you to the staff of Melville Home Care, Caleb Village, Helping Hands and Langenburg Care Home for taking such loving care of our mom and grandma, and also to Dr. E for his special and attentive care for Mom over many years!

Thank you also to her “adopted” family, Jim and Marilyn Hoehn and their children, Jill, Page and Drew, for whom she provided childcare for several years, for their love and attention to Mom over the years.

We love you, Mom and Grandma, and will miss you terribly. Rest safe in the arms of Jesus!