Robert J. Bender

Robert J. Bender, age 85, of Yankton, South Dakota died surrounded by his family on Sunday, December 15, 2024 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM, on Friday, December 20, 2024 at Holy Family (Immaculate Conception) Catholic Church in St. Helena, Nebraska with Reverend Marcus Knecht officiating. Burial will be in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in St. Helena with military honors performed by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post No. 791 of Yankton. Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, on Thursday, December 19 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with a rosary and vigil service at 7:00 PM. Visitation also continues one hour prior to the funeral at the church.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons and nephews: Robbie, Hayden, Collin, Mike, Gale, Chris, Kevin, Mark, Karl and Pat. Honorary pallbearers will be his granddaughters and nieces: Kelsea, Emma, Ellis, Brynlee, Delaine, Sharla, and Lynn.

Robert J. Bender entered this world on November 5, 1939, on his dad’s birthday. He was the middle child of three boys to Julius and Hilaria (Bruening) Bender. He grew up on the family farm just west of St. Helena, Nebraska. He learned many lessons on the farm that guided him through his life. He loved being the keeper of the family tales and took great pride in knowing a great deal of family history – his own as well as pretty much everyone else’s in Cedar County. He always said St. Helena was the best place to live. He went to country schools in St. Helena and graduated from Holy Trinity High School in 1957. He spoke fondly of all his school friends and enjoyed playing football and also acting in one act plays.

He entered the United States Army in 1958. He did a tour to serve his county in Germany and was honorably discharged in 1960. He was awarded good conduct and sharpshooter badges during his service. He was very proud of his military service.

He met Norma Jean Winckler at a dance and they married on June 10, 1965. They looked forward to celebrating their 60th Anniversary in 2025. Many a dance was done to big band music that they both loved. They welcomed their first child, Steve, a daughter, Audrea and another son, James to round out the Bender Crew.

Robert farmed until 1983, but then found his next calling by joining the welding crew at Kolberg’s, now Astec. He enjoyed his time there making many friends. He kept very detailed notebooks of all his work there. He retired after 26 years.

To say Robert enjoyed his retirement is an understatement. He loved the honey do lists that he did at his own pace of course. He would spend hours figuring out the “BEST” way to do things. He loved visits from everyone that stopped by which usually ended with a little nip of the Lord. If you know, you know.

He was very so proud of his kids and grandkids, loving to hear about everyone’s activities and accomplishments. He loved that he has a grandchild in the military as well as one that works at his old stomping ground at Astec. He always loved hearing stories and telling them too. That will be truly missed by all who knew him. 

Robert is survived by his wife, Norma of Yankton; three children: Steve (Becky) Bender of Chandler, Arizona, Audrea (Todd) Hecht of Yankton and James (Missy) Bender of Yankton; six grandchildren: Hayden Bender (Michelle), Collin (Brandi) Bender, Robbie (Eva) Hecht, Kelsea Hecht, Mike Bender and Emma Bender; two great grandchildren: Ellis and Brynlee Hecht; and one brother, Loren (Ruth) Bender of St. Helena.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Hilaria; brother, Charles (Alberta) Bender and father and mother-in-law, Hubert and Edna Winckler.

We all know he is playing and winning a card game in heaven with Joe, Art and Gary, because he was one of the luckiest here on earth.