Bender, Elizabeth Emma Rediger (1883-1963)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Apr 4 p. 3

Birth date: 1883 Sep 29

text of obituary:

. . .

Mrs. David E. Bender of Milford, Neb. mother of Mrs. Barbara Reber, missionary to Japan, passed away suddenly on March 13, with funeral services March 15 at the East Fairview Mennonite Church. Mrs. Reber returned to attend the funeral, but unfortunately her plane did not arrive until the services were over. She planned to return to Tokyo on March 28.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Apr 25 p. 8

text of obituary:

ELIZABETH EMMA BENDER

Elizabeth Emma Rediger Bender, daughter of Rev. Christian and Catherine (Risser) Rediger, was born near Gridley, Ill. (McLean County) on Sept. 29, 1883. On Wednesday morning, March 13, 1963. She died of a heart attack in her home at Milford, Neb.

At the age of two she came to a farm near Aurora, Neb. with her parents and family. In her youth she accepted Christ as her personal Savior. She became a member of the Pleasant View Mennonite Church located near Aurora.

On Dec.8,1908, she was united in marriage to David E. Bender of Milford. Immediately following their marriage they began their Christian home on a farm about four miles west of Milford, where they remained until the fall of 1942 when they moved to Milford.

Four children were born to them: Merton E. of Flint, Mich., Dorothy L. of Milford, Merle L. of Wichita, Kan. and Barbara (Mrs. Don Reber) of Tokyo, Japan. Besides her husband and children she leaves 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

She was one of ten children, five of whom preceded her in death. Surviving are two brothers, E. W. Rediger of Washington, Ill. and John F. Rediger of Inglewood, Calif.; two sisters, Mrs. B. M. Kramer of Aurora, Neb. and Mrs. R. H. Shertz of Washington, Ill.

At the time of her marriage she transferred her church membership to the East Fairview Mennonite Church where she remained a faithful member until her death.

Her children will remember her with love and deep appreciation for many things, especially for teaching them the dignity of work. — The Family.