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- [S8] Information from an informant - Auskunft eines Informanten - Information d'un informateur.
Proposed Change: Gladys Belva Jean Handel (I111108)
Tree: Südpfalz / Southern Palatinate
Link: http://www.birkenhoerdt.net/getperson.php?personID=I111108&tree=Suedpfalz
Description: Died: Freeman Regional Health Hospital, Freeman, Hutchinson County, South Dakota, USA
According to their own website here; freemanregional.com
Mariner's Knoll Genealogy USA
Mariner's Knoll Genealogy USA
- [S927] Obituary.
Gladys Bender, age 79, of Menno died Monday, April 9, 2007 at Freeman Regional Health Hospital, Freeman, SD. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, April 13, 2007 at Salem Reformed Church, Menno with the Rev. Michael Hecht officiating. Burial will be at Menno City Cemetery, Menno. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 PM on Thursday, April 12, 2007 at the Aisenbrey-Kostel Funeral Home, Menno. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
Pallbearers will be Matthew Bender, Jennifer McKeeman, Neil McKeeman, Lisa Bender, Elizabeth Bender, Kevin Bender, Julie Bender and Joseph Bender.
Gladys Belva Jean Bender was born June 18, 1927 to Theodore and Lydia (nee Heckenlaible) Handel of rural Menno. She was baptized in infancy at rural Ebenezer Reformed Church by Rev. Bodenman. She grew up on the family farm and attended Handel District #5 rural school. At the age of nine, she was granted the wish she made daily when her brother Ernest was born. She was confirmed by Rev. Kaempchen on June 21, 1942 at Salem Reformed Church in Menno, where she continued as a faithful member for the rest of her life. She attended Menno High School, graduating in 1945. After attending summer school at Yankton College for four weeks, she wrote the teaching exam and obtained a two year teaching certificate. She taught one year at Hoff District #44.
On May 5, 1946, she married Gideon A. Bender and fulfilled her childhood ambition to be a farm wife. She and Gideon lived with his parents for eight months at which time Fred and Christina Bender retired to Menno. Gideon and Gladys continued to farm the home stead and were successful leaving it a better place for the next generation. In 2004, they celebrated the Centennial Designation of the Bender Farm and on May 5, 2006, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. It was not always easy, but she would never have wished for any other occupation. To this union were born four children, Georjean (1948), Gary (1949), Gene (1951), and Frederick (1953). Her children were always her greatest joy. She enjoyed teaching them, and seeing them grow to be responsible, considerate, and loving persons that profess Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.
Throughout the years of good health, she was busy in various projects in her Church and Community as well as at home. Gladys taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, served in Ladies Aid and helped with obligations during the new Church construction. She served in PTA and Music Boosters for the Menno Public School. She was involved in the development of the Menno-Olivet Care Center and the organization of its auxiliary. She enjoyed helping with field work and always raised a large vegetable garden with the help of her children.
In 1974, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. After using crutches for many years, she begrudgingly resorted to a three-wheel scooter so she could continue to move throughout the Community and participate in her many activities. She was involved with MORE and scheduling Meals-on-Wheels. She enjoyed doing handicraft projects for her Grandchildren and wrote and published a book on her childhood memories. She maintained the family genealogy and especially enjoyed family reunions, and encouraging the descendants of Fred Jr. and Christina Bender to gather together frequently in fellowship. She was a loving Grandmother and Aunt.
She left this life April 9, 2007 to be with Jesus. Her motto was "we shall pass this way but once, therefore any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now for I shall not pass this way again.". Those left behind are her loving husband Gideon, her children Georjean (Bruce) McKeeman, Gene (Sandi) Bender, Frederick (Kathy) Bender, and the jewels in her life - her Grandchildren Matthew (Chanda) Bender, Jennifer McKeeman, Neil McKeeman, Lisa Bender, Elizabeth Bender, Kevin Bender, Julie Bender, Joseph Bender and Great Granddaughters Ella and Cecelia Bender. She also leaves behind her brother T. Ernest (Bobbie) Handel, one brother-in-law Delmer Bender, and one sister-in-law Betty Bender, a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Gladys was preceded in death by son Gary in 1987 and her parents.
- [S558] South Dakota Marriages, 1905-1949.
Name: Theodore E Handel
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Spouse: Lydia Heckenlaible
Marriage Date: 9 Mar 1919
Marriage County: Hutchinson
County of Residence: Hutchinson
Post Office: Menno
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1927 - 2007 (79 years)