Leo A. Bender Sr., 71, died Feb. 13 at Hays Medical Center. Born Aug. 9, 1942 in Fort Collins, Colo., he was the son of Leo and Lydia (Greenwald) Bender. On April 4, 1970 he married Elizabeth “Betty” Schmitt in Great Bend. A resident of Great Bend for 43 years, coming from Russell, he was a unit driver for a well servicing company for 30 years and then worked in housekeeping at St. Rose Ambulatory and Surgery Center for 10 years until his retirement. He enjoyed fishing.
Mr. Bender was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Bender, of the home; one son, Leo A. Bender Jr. and his wife Kristi of Great Bend; one daughter, Stefani Shumate of Great Bend; two sisters, Linda Casper of Russell and Louanna Hanes of Cushing, Okla.; one brother, John Bender of Virginia Beach, Va.; and two grandchildren Aaron Shumate and Bradley Shumate.
A Vigil service will be held today at 7 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend with Father Don Bedore officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend Cemetery North. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Prince of Peace Parish, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by    
Bryant Funeral Home*    
1425 Patton Road    
Great Bend, Ks. 67530
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Feb. 16, 2014