Rebecca Becky Diane Bending

Becky was born to Annie D. Moody and Oleson T. Reuben in Culdesac, Idaho. She was an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation and a descendent of the Nez Perce Wallawa Band of Indians. She met her husband Raymond L Bending of 52 years in Phoenix, Ariz. They were married in Glendale, California on October 27, 1957.

Becky graduated from Cook Christian Training School in Phoenix, Ariz. She completed her Bachelors Degree in Sociology from the University of California at Los Angeles and Masters of Social Work from the University of Washington. She was employed as a social worker for the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe for 12 years and the Yakama Nation for about 5 years. She was a renowned corn husk weaver and a member of the Northwest Basket weaving Association. She was piano player and choir director of the First American Indian Church in Los Angeles and Talmaks Presbyterian Camp Meeting and piano player for the White Swan Methodist Church. Becky was active in the following organizations: Secretary and Board member of the Endangered Language Fund; a member of the Advisory Board of the Indian Center West in Culver City, CA; Director of the Youth Group in Muckleshoot and appointed member of the Local Indian Child Welfare Advisory Committee. She touched the lives of many people.

She is survived by her husband Raymond; their sons Reuben of Granger and Raymond Leroy Bending, Jr. of Wapato; two grandsons Nickels Bending and Andrew Bending of Granger; her sisters Myra Rosales of Wapato, Pauline Eyle and Alex of Wapato, Jackie Wapato of Lapwai, Lydia Arneecher and Kenneth of Salinas, Calif., Horace Axtell and Andrea of Lewiston; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Annie Moody and Oleson Reuben, step-father Edion E Wapato, three brothers, Leander Kipp, Oleson Reuben Jr, Edion Wapato Jr. and one sister, Elizabeth Red Bear.

The family wishes to thank the Critical Care Unit of Memorial Hospital for their superior and loving care along with all the family and friends who offered their prayers and support.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010 at Wilbur Memorial United Methodist Church in White Swan at 7:00 p.m.

Friday services will be held at 7:00 p.m. in Spalding ID at the Spalding Presbyterian Church.. Saturday funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. in Ferdinand, ID at the Meadow Creek Presbyterian Church, with burial following at Meadow Creek Presbyterian Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Merritt Funeral Home in Wapato, WA.