RUSSELL — Lorraine Esther (Bender) Mai, 90, passed away Sept. 12, 2016, at the Golden Living Center in Wilson. Born Dec. 4, 1925, in Russell, she was the daughter of George M. and Marie (Herdt) Bender. She grew up in the Russell area and attended the Bender Hill country school through the eighth grade. She was a graduate of Russell High School and Brown Mackie Business School. During World War II, she worked as a secretary for the Walker Air Base. On Feb. 16, 1947, she was united in marriage to Elmer D. Mai at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Russell. He preceded her in death on Nov. 5, 2008. She was a farm wife and homemaker. Later in life, she worked as a checker for C.O. Mammals and worked at Myers Furniture Store.
Mrs. Mai was a member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church choir, church Circle, and was a Sunday School teacher for over 10 years. She was a life member of the Russell American Legion Post 99 Ladies Auxiliary. She was a project leader for 4H and was active with the Russell Regional Hospital Auxiliary.
Survivors include her son Gordon Mai of Wilson; a sister, Velma Beeman of Russell; and two nieces. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer; a son, Stephen Mai; and a brother, Arvin Bender.
Celebration of Lorraine’s Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Russell. Burial will follow at the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery of Russell. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Memorials have been established with St. John’s Lutheran Church or Russell American Legion Post 99 Ladies Auxiliary in care of the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Pohlman - Varner - Peeler Mortuary
610 N. Maple
Russell, KS 67665
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 15, 2016