Eleanor Bender

Age 73, died on November 15, 2014. She was surrounded by family and friends at the time in Fridley, MN. She was born on November 19, 1940, in Edgeley, ND and raised on the family farm there. Eleanor led a full life spending time with her family and friends and also enjoying numerous hobbies. Eleanor graduated from Edgeley High School in 1958. She went on to pursue her dream of becoming a flight attendant and enrolled at the Gale Institute where she completed a 6 month program in Airline and Railroad Communications only to find out that she didn't meet the height requirements. She was too short. She married Leon Bender in 1959, and the two of them moved to Coon Rapids in 1962. Eleanor worked at Honeywell for 14 years and Kmart for the following 26 years. From there Eleanor went and worked at the State Fair for 13 years at the Park and Ride. She and Leon enjoyed attending flea markets and auctions which she continued enjoying until the end. She enjoyed making crafts where kitchen blessing angels was one of her favorites. Eleanor was a very active person who enjoyed polka and waltz dancing, camping, traveling, jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, card playing and just plain carrying on a conversation with whoever was available. She loved to attend family functions and gathering of friends where she could bring massive quantities of food to share.

Eleanor is survived by her children, Kent (Jeanie) Bender, Leon Bender, Jr., and Karen Krohn; grandchildren, Jennifer, Brittany, Jessica, Katlyn and Eric; great-grandchildren, Aubree and Gavin. She is preceded in death by her husband, Leon Bender; parents, Hilda and Alvin Hehr; and her son-in-law, Lloyd Krohn.