Trent Calvin Bender

      Trent Calvin Bender was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed him to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, he possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. He had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and he was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. Trent always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, Trent was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.

      Trent was born on May 24, 1987 at The Grace Hospital in Calgary, AB. His parents were Lori and Blaine Bender. Trent was raised in DeWinton / Okotoks. Always able to express himself well, Trent possessed strong interpersonal skills. He was optimistic in his outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in his communication. Armed with a great wit, Trent was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.

      Blessed with a balanced attitude, Trent was able to relate well with others. His occasional role as family mediator gave him the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. Trent was raised with One sibling. Chad Bender. Trent had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.

      As a young child, Trent showed his creative ability in many ways. He was outgoing and animated. Trent enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests. He enjoyed playing hockey & baseball. In his spare time he liked dirt biking and snowboarding.

      Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and somewhat driven individual, Trent was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. His curious nature was spurred by his ability to maximize his personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. He was good with facts and had an excellent memory. He graduated from The Foothills Composite in 2005. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Trent's favorite class was Welding. The teacher he enjoyed learning from the most was Mr. Green.

      When the goal of college was in sight, it became important to Trent. Again, his direct, “down to earth” approach served him well. He was able to absorb complex concepts and had an acute sense of how things worked. He earned his Journeyman Welder B Pressure certification.

      Friends and acquaintances found Trent an easy man to get to know, and those close to him would often praise his open, practical style of communication and relaxed approach to life in general. Trent was uncomplicated and straightforward in his relationships, which allowed him to accept people for what they were. While growing up, some of his best friends were Johnathan Jenkins, Justin Snider, Brett Gullacher, Jamie Ferber, Brett Hunt, Cody Wrigley & Scott Marshall. Later in life, he became friends with Chelsea Kirker, Kittie Ferber, Nadia Snider, Brennan & Sarah Schumaker, Brandon & Tanys, Yuto and Akane.

      Trent was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around him. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, Trent’s strengths included being able to think on his feet. He could be a leader who sought impact for his decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, Trent was able to positively manipulate situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. He was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. Trent could multi-task, and he was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing him to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in his work environment. His primary occupation was a B Pressure Welder. He was employed as a welder for 16 years. He spent his last 3 years with Dice Plant Maintenance.

      Trent enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He put this creativity toward all of his pastimes. His favorite pursuits were camping, dirt biking, snowboarding, spending time with his dogs, watching his favorite team the Calgary Flames- his favorite players were Matthew Tkachuk #19 and Elias Lindholm #26. He was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

      Because he liked to take risks, he was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. Trent was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were hockey, baseball & football.

      Travel and vacations were experiences that Trent truly enjoyed. He preferred to seek out excitement wherever he went and he was partial to vacations that were casual and laid back with an atmosphere of “live and let live.” He was willing to leave his plans open and flexible, just in case something more interesting came along. Favorite vacations included Grand Coulee Dam with his family, the Shushwaps, Mexico, Jamaica, Koocanusa, Sandpoint Idaho, Vancouver Island.

      Trent was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Trent’s favorites was Winston, a Yorkshire Terrier. They were best friends for 5 years. His pets over the years included his cats, Jersey and Rue and his Dogs, Zeus and Winston.

      Trent passed away on November 23, 2021 at Okotoks, AB. He is survived by his partner Chelsea, his brother Chad and his mother Lori. His Celebration of Life was held at Foothills Centennial Center in Okotoks, AB.

      Trent was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, he relied on his senses to increase his involvement and awareness of others. He was always able to provide amusing repartee to his friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. If Trent had a theme song written about him, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” He enjoyed his life and the experience of living it. This is how everyone will remember Trent Calvin Bender.

* * * * * * * * * *

With extreme sadness, the family of Trent Calvin Bender announces his sudden passing on November 23, 2021.

He was born on May 24, 1987 in Calgary and spent his childhood in and near Okotoks, graduating from the Foothills Composite High School where he became interested in the welding trade. Soon after he received his ticket as a B Pressure Welder from SAIT. He worked at that trade for the duration of his career, the past three years working for DICE Plant Maintenance, an employer he absolutely loved.

Trent played hockey and baseball during his school years but he had a lifelong passion for dirt biking, fishing, and snowboarding. He was a diehard fan of the Calgary Flames, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He loved to kid around, had his own lingo and invented his own unique expressions.

He is survived by his mother Lori Bender; brother Chad; grandmothers Roxiena and Ann; best friend and partner Chelsea Kirker and their fur babies Winston and Zeus; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was predeceased by his father Blaine, grandfathers Calvin, Ross and John, grandmother Dolores, great-aunt Alice, uncle Terry and aunt Sherrill.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Foothills Centennial Centre, (4-204 Community Way, Okotoks, AB T1S 2N3), on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.

In accordance with Alberta’s Restrictions Exemption Program, all individuals attending funeral services to provide COVID-19 proof of vaccination, or proof of a privately-paid negative test result taken within 72 hours of service, or documentation of medical exemption.

In lieu of flowers and to honour Trent’s love of animals especially cats and dogs, the family would appreciate donations being made in Trent’s memory directly to the Pound Rescue, (Box 73 RR 2 Site 2

Okotoks, AB T1S 1A2) or to Heaven Can Wait, (Box 6131, Station Main High River AB T1V 1P7).

To view Trent's Celebration of Life, please visit https://youtu.be/BsCFUJ5jcMA