BENDER, Paul

Paul Bender, 67 years of age from Minden, Nebraska died Sunday, March 4, 2012 at his home in Minden after a short illness. Paul was born on October 7, 1944 in Friend, Nebraska to Armin and Ruth (Manning) Bender. He grew up in Exeter, NE and graduated from Exeter High School in 1962. He attended Nebraska Wesleyan. On November 25, 1964 he married Joyce Bartlett. They lived in Lincoln for a few years and then settled in Minden. Paul worked for K-N Gas for 34 years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Minden. Paul loved playing baseball and overhand softball. He enjoyed hunting upland game and deer hunting with bow, rifle and black powder. Motorcycle and car racing were a great part of Paul's life; he passed that on to his sons who both raced motocross. In September Paul crossed one thing off his “bucket list'; he was able to travel to the Springfield Mile motorcycle race. He spent many camping trips with friends and family to Harlan County, Sturgis, and surrounding states. Survivors include his wife, Joyce of Minden; two sons, Alan Bender and his son Riley of Grand Lake, CO and Dwight Bender and his wife, Ann and their daughters, Breanna, Courtney, Emily and Moriah of Lincoln; sister, Gayla Johnsen and her husband, Gordon “Duke” of Seward, NE; sisters-in-law, Charlene Barnard of Beatrice, Carol Bartlett of Lincoln and Cora Jensby and her husband, Darrell of Gilbert, AZ; along with many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Minden with Rev. Nancy Lambert officiating. Burial will be in the Minden Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Layton-Craig Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5-7 p.m.