Jerry Bender

Gerald (Jerry) Dean Bender of Glidden, IA, passed away on March 24, 2010 at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at the First Presbyterian Church in Glidden with Rev. Michael Fitzsimmons officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service. Organist for the service will be Marlys Conner. Casket bearers will be Paul Walkup, Rick Whitaker, Leonard Feilmeier, Verlin Danner, Dave McNamara, Chuck Best, and Stan Best. Honorary casket bearers will be Jerry’s grandchildren: Cassie Hoffman, Nick Bender, Tyson Heuton, Nathan Heuton, Samantha Bender, T.J. Bender, Blake Bender, and Brooke Bender. Burial will be in Merle Hay Memorial Cemetery near Glidden. Jerry was born on March 13, 1940 in Carroll and was the son of Harold and Hazel (Ummel) Bender. He graduated from Glidden-Ralston Community School. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Glidden. Jerry married Linda Fabricius on October 18, 1959 at the Presbyterian Church in Glidden. He farmed in the Glidden community for 30 years, and drove a school bus for Glidden-Ralston Community School for 12 years. Jerry enjoyed spending time with his family, grilling in the driveway, riding his electric scooter around Glidden, reading, watching westerns, and bird watching. He was a member of Haggai Masonic Lodge in Glidden. Jerry recently celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary and 70th birthday. Jerry is survived by his wife Linda of Glidden; four children; a son Scott and wife Kris of Spencer; a son Kurt and wife Kim of Ankeny; a daughter Patti Heuton and husband Jeff of Glidden; a son Ryan Bender and his friend Steve Bueltel of Olathe, Kansas; eight grandchildren; a brother Don Bender and wife Jan of McKinney, Texas; and several nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.