Richard Bender, 95, of Sheboygan, passed away Friday, December 22, 2023, at Sunny Ridge Nursing & Rehabilitation Center where he resided for the last 3 years.
Born on July 17, 1928, in Sheboygan, Dick was a son of the late Albert and Martha Werthmann Bender. In January of 1951, Dick was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War and served his country proud. On February 19, 1955, Dick was united in marriage to Carol Mae Betty Klein at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Howards Grove. They celebrated 49 years of marriage before Carol Mae proceeded him in death on April 14, 2004.
Dick was a mason and owner of Bender’s Construction for many, many years until his retirement at the at 84 in 2012. He enjoyed fishing and hunting up north at his cottage in Crandon, WI. Dick was apart of a poker club with his friends where they would meet every month, play poker, and enjoy each others company. In his later years he enjoyed taking rides and visiting family and friends.
He is survived by his four children, Cheryl (Joey) Erdmann-Schwartz, Richard (Charmaine) Bender, Jill Grinna, and Kelly (Bill) Biwan; 10 grandchildren, Aaron Erdmann, John (Jennie) Erdmann, Mark (Kate) Erdmann, Krystle (Josiah) Jensen, Jenna (Stephen) Jensen, Kelsey (Gavin) Thurow, Abigail (Max) Woerishofer, Kjersten Grinna, Noah Biwan, and Mekenzie Biwan; 7 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Connie Bender, Rosie Bubb, and Barbara Thiel; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Besides his parents, mother and father-in-law, Gilbert and Myra Klein, and wife, Carol Mae, he was proceeded in death by an infant son and infant daughter; a granddaughter, Hailie Biwan; his sister, Gladys Buechel; brothers, Ralph, Gerhardt, James, and his identical twin brother, Robert; and brothers and sisters-in-law.
A funeral service will take place at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 29, 2023 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3027 Wilgus Avenue, Sheboygan. Family and friends are welcome at the church on Friday from 3:00 p.m. until the time of service. Interment will take place at Wildwood Cemetery in Sheboygan.
A memorial fund has been established in Dick’s name.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Sunny Ridge Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for all their loving care and support.
The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Dick’s arrangements.
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