Mary Dell Bender

Mary Dell Bender passed away on June 26, 2011 at University Hospital with her husband at her side as a result of stroke complications. Mary was born September 25, 1939 in Limon, Colorado. She attended a one room elementary school north of Genoa, Colorado and graduated from Limon High School in 1957. She married her high school sweetheart, Thomas on November 17, 1957. As a military wife and mother, she raised their children while Tom served on almost continuous worldwide deployments for 20 years in the United States Air Force. In 1977 she finally settled with her family in their mountain home in Rist Canyon just west of Bellvue, Colorado. Mary worked at Woodward Governor Company until retirement. She then focused on her family welfare while being very active with the Larimer County Republican Party. Mary was a very loving mother and a selfless neighbor. She dedicated her life to her children and grandchildren. She loved to read, play computer card games but most of all to plan, organize and host family birthday and holiday celebrations. She loved her mountain home and enjoyed feeding her hummingbirds and considered viewing the frequent visits by wild turkeys, deer and other wildlife with her husband as memorable and satisfying moments of her life. Mary is survived by her loving husband, Thomas; her four children, Elizabeth Hale, Theresa Bottger, Katherine Myers and her son; Thomas D. Bender; grandchildren, Casey, Mason, Mary Katherine, Grant, Drew, Codey, Chase, Celena, Kristin, Kyle; one great grandchild, Alexander; her mother, Irma Kjosness, twin sister, Martha Torline, and two brothers, A.T. Kjosness and Dennis Kjosness. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at Blessed John 23rd University Center, 1220 University Ave. A Graveside Service will be held at Grandview Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Mary's memory to any breast cancer foundation or for her daughter, Theresa's cancer foundation in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.