Obituary of Helen Bender

<h1>Helen Bender</h1> 1921 – 2010 Passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family on Sunday, January 3, 2010 at Groves Memorial Hospital, Fergus at the age of 88 years. Helen is survived by her loving children, Don (Audrey) Bender, Diane (Lloyd) Thistle, Pat Connolly, Jeff (Tania) Bender, Jeanette (Steve) Wallace, Steve (Brenda) Bender and Debi (Mike) Koebel, as well as 19 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Helen is also survived by her brother Carl (Mary) Ertel, sister Dorothy Kienapple, sister-in-law Rita Ertel and daughter-in-law Cheryl Black (Michael Bender, predeceased in 1991). Helen was also predeceased by her beloved husband Urban Bender in 1995, son-in-law Paul Connolly in 1993, brother Claude Ertel, sister and brother-in-law Bernetta and Tom Bisch and brother-in-law Earl Kienapple. Helen was a faithful parishioner of St. Clement’s RC Church and was proud of her involvement with the Christian Mothers and the Catholic Women’s League. She enjoyed playing cards and bingo. Friends are invited to share their memories of Helen with her family during visitation at the Erb &amp; Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, Waterloo, on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 from 7-9 p.m., and Wednesday, January 6 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Parish Prayers will be held on Wednesday at 8:45 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Clement’s RC Church, St. Clements on Thursday, January 7 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Robert Hétu as Celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Clement’s Cemetery. Condolences for the family and donations to St. Clement’s Church Building Fund or the Heart and Stroke Foundation may be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.