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- [S927] Obituary.
Clifford Bender
Clifford Bender, 77, Bismarck, formerly of Elgin, died June 6, 2009, in a Bismarck hospital. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 9, at First Lutheran Church, Mandan, with the Rev. Lee Herberg officiating. Burial will be in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, south of Mandan.
There will be no visitation, as cremation has taken place.
Clifford was born Feb. 26, 1932, to Ruben and Lillian (Quast) Bender, Elgin, where he was raised and educated. He was an accomplished high school athlete, competing in multiple sports for the Elgin "Flying Dutchmen." He was a key contributor to the success of the 1950 basketball team that represented the region at the state tournament. Clifford joined the Navy after graduation and served his country for four years. Cliff attended the University of North Dakota and was a member of the college "bowling" team. He was a member of Beta Alpha Psi - an accounting honors fraternity - and graduated from UND with a degree in accounting. Clifford's first grandson, Chris Rohrich, followed in his grandfather's footsteps, graduating from UND with an accounting degree and membership in the same honors fraternity.
Clifford was a long-time employee of the State of North Dakota. He worked as an auditor until he was offered a position by Governor Guy to become the business administrator at the State School in Grafton. He worked there for three years and then took early retirement due to health concerns. Clifford possessed an entrepreneurial business mind. He initiated a number of business adventures that included investments, land acquisition, sale of alarm systems and preformed casts and the purchase and operation of "Bender's Drive Inn" in Medora. The Medora venture provided numerous "fun" summer work adventures for the entire family.
Clifford was a long-time member of the Bismarck Elks Club, an avid card player and master bridge player. He loved poker and was always a willing participant in a game of Omaha "high/low." He found numerous opportunities to enjoy these talents both in the Bismarck area and then later in the Yakima, Wash., area, where he lived following his retirement. Clifford spent the last five years of his earthly life with family in the Bismarck area. He lived very comfortably in his "apartment" at St. Vincent's Care Center until his passing.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank the entire staff of St. Vincent's for the outstanding care Clifford received while there. We would like to especially thank Dr. Baker, Cheryl Rising and Rita Schultz whose ongoing efforts and quality communication gave the family great comfort regarding his care.
Clifford married Yvonne Erdmann from Golden Valley in September 1955. They had four children.
Clifford is survived by three daughters, Deb (Al) Rohrich, Missoula, Mont., Connie Desrosiers, Alexandria, Va., and Carrie (Owen) Stockdill, Mandan; one brother, Dennis Bender, Yakima, Wash.; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a close personal friend, Carol Bahlman, Tucson, Ariz.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruben and Lillian Bender; his son, Craig "Sonny" Bender; and two sisters, Cora Hochhalter and Diane Scheid.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to First Lutheran Church, 408 Ninth St. N.W., Mandan, N.D. 58554, for their weekly "Lunch at First" program. This program provides lunch and fellowship for Mandan High School youth. (Perry Funeral Home, Mandan)
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1932 - 2009 (77 years)