Waneta Bender

Waneta Fern Litwiller Sundberg Bender was born on October 29, 1927, to Edward and Julia Johnson Litwiller in Ithaca, Michigan. She passed away on February 10, 2021, at Maple View Assisted Living, Ithaca, Michigan, at the age of ninety-three years. Waneta’s growing up years were spent in Gratiot County, Michigan, on the family farm with her brothers and sisters. On April 2, 1944, she was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, by F. C. Fricke. Waneta was joined in marriage to Arthur Sundberg on March 31, 1957, starting their home in Langdon, North Dakota. They lived in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and Grafton, North Dakota, before settling on a dairy farm in Almena, Wisconsin. Three children were born to them. Rose Marie and Curtis Alan passed away in infancy, and Beth Marlene lived for nine short months. Losing their children left her heart deeply saddened. Waneta’s mother heart rejoiced at caring for the children who later came into their home: foster children, and a special time of having two nieces live with them for a few years. She was a favorite aunt to her nieces and nephews, always being interested in what was going on in their lives. Art and Waneta shared nearly twenty-five years together before Art suddenly passed away. On January 2, 1983, Waneta married our dad, Simon Bender. She was thrilled to gain grandchildren and loved giving them gifts. She faithfully sent cards and letters for birthdays. Waneta found pleasure in gardening and preserving the foods she grew. She enjoyed doing things for others, which included stopping at yard sales to buy clothes and books. For a time, she opened a small shop in her home to sell these items to friends and family. She liked helping on the farm, spending time feeding calves and working in the yard. In 2005, they moved from their home in Almena, Wisconsin, to Fountain Run, Kentucky. After Dad passed away in 2008, Waneta continued living at their home until 2013, when she moved to Maple View Assisted Living. She enjoyed the time she spent there, and we appreciate the loving care she received. Her expression of the peace in her heart gives us the assurance that she made it safely home. Those left to remember Waneta are one sister, Evelyn (Wayne Miller), Moundridge, Kansas; one brother-in-law, Byron Hiebert, Moundridge, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews; the Bender children: Annie (Ray Peachy), Lewisburg, Pennsylvania; Jacob (Fannie), Rural Retreat, Virginia; Simon (Virginia), Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania; Daniel (Rhoda), Fountain Run, Kentucky; David (Lydia), Linden, Tennessee; Esther (Francis Meissen), Albertville, Alabama; Leah (Gilbert Johnson), Almena, Wisconsin; Amos (Deb), Minerva, Ohio; Jason, Barron, Wisconsin; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by both of her husbands, her three children, her parents, two sisters, four brothers, four sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, and two Bender grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, at 10:30 A.M. at the Newark Mennonite Church. The family will receive friends on Monday from 2 P.M. to 4 P.M. and 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the Newark Church. Burial will take place in Almena, Wisconsin. Those desiring, may make contributions in Waneta’s memory to Maple View Retirement Community 4396 S. Luce Road Ithaca, MI 48847.