Clarence Bender, 87 of Russell died Monday, May 28, 2012 at the Russell Regional Hospital.

Clarence was born on January 26, 1925 on the family farm in Winterset township in Russell County, the son of John L. and Caroline (Morgenstern) Bender.  He grew up and attended school in the Winterset area.

Clarence was united in marriage to Pauline L. Barker on March 18, 1951 in Russell.  This union was blessed with five children; Carol, Alvin, Elton, Daniel and Roy.  They made their home in Russell.

He worked in the oil patch before he was married.  Then he started working for the Russell County Highway Department as a heavy machine operator.  He worked for the County for over 33 years.  During this time he also was a farmer.  After retirement, he started fixing lawn mowers. 

He was a member of the Bender Hill Lutheran Church.  He enjoyed working on lawnmowers, wood working and carpentry, fishing and singing songs in German to his children and grandchildren.

Surviving family include his wife of 61 years, Pauline of the home; daughter, Carol Whitmer (Robert) of Wilson, Kansas; three sons, Alvin Bender (Patricia) of Abilene, Kansas, Elton Bender (Letty) of Salina, Kansas and Daniel Bender (JoAnn) of Russell, Kansas; sister Viola Barratte of Wichita, Kansas; 18 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, son Roy E. Bender, grandson Charles Thomas Bender, a brother and four sisters.

Celebration of Clarence’s Life will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, June 2, 2012 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary Chapel in Russell.  A private family burial will follow in the Russell City Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9 AM to 8 PM Friday, June 1, 2012 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6 PM to 7 PM.  A memorial has been established as the Clarence Bender Memorial Fund.  Contributions and condolences may be sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary who is in charge of these funeral arrangements.