Bender, Bertha Catherine Burkholder (1896-1978)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 13 Jul 1978 p. 2

Birth date: 1896 Sep 11

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 24 Aug 1978 p. 11

BERTHA BURKHOLDER BENDER

Bertha Catherine Burkholder Bender was born in New Hope, Va., Sept 11, 1896 and died in Goshen, Ind. July 1, 1978 at the age of 81. She had been ill about eight months.

She was both a professor and dean of women at Goshen College and also served as dean of women at Hesston (Kan.) College. At Goshen, she taught French and Spanish while serving as dean from 1927 to 1929. She was also a teacher in the Oslo, Clinton and Fairfield school systems, teaching in the elementary grades.

Interested in literature and writing, she promoted a Goshen Writers Club and was a member of the Phalo Club. She was a member of the College Mennonite Church.

During World Mar II she spent two years as a camp matron in Civilian Public Service at Medaryville and Grottoes, Va., and later. with her husband, Dr. Paul Bender, spent two years in the Netherlands working under the Mennonite Central Committee. She married Dr. Bender Dec. 25, 1929.

Survivors include her husband; and a sister, Nelliw (Mrs. Newton) Weber of Goshen. A service was held July 4 at the Yoder-Culp Funeral Home with Arnold Roth and John Mosemann of the College Mennonite Church officiating. Burial followed at Elkhart Prairie Cemetery. A memorial service was also held at the College Mennonite Church.