Bender, Maxine Elizabeth

Maxine Elizabeth Bender, of North English and formerly of Keswick, died on Saturday, September 12, 2009, at the English Valley Care Center in North English, at the age of 98 years, 9 months and 18 days. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in North English, with Fr. Joseph Roost officiating. Burial will be at Armah Cemetery in rural North English. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 on Monday at Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in North English, where there will be a prayer service at 4 p.m.

Maxine was born Nov. 25, 1910, in English Township in Iowa County, to William Henry and Ada Luella (Breeden) Carder. She attended Hawkeye rural school through 8th grade and graduated from North English High School in 1930. Maxine earned a Normal Training Teacher's Certificate that allowed her to teach in rural Keokuk and Iowa Counties for 13 years. These were her fondest memories. On May 28, 1945, she married Lawrence Matthew Bender at Armah Immaculate Conception Church, in rural North English. Together they farmed at Catalpa Grove Farm in Iowa County until their retirement in 1978.

A lifelong resident of the North English and Keswick areas, Maxine was a member of the Armah Altar and Rosary Society, Millersburg and Keswick Garden Clubs, St. Joseph's and Our Lady of Lourdes Church. She loved gardening, raising African Violets and quilting.

Survivors include two sons, David Bender and wife, Irene of Bettendorf, and John Bender and wife, Cindy of Marion; a daughter-in-law, Sandy Bender of Fairfax; four grandchildren, Matthew Bender, Laura Thompson, Ryan Bender and Rod Pieres; 10 great-grandchildren; and one sister: Gilma Mahannah of North English.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lawrence in 1997; two sons, Michael and Tom Bender; four brothers, Onel (Bill), Orville, Wilfred and Alfred; two sisters, Illa Grove and Iva Carder; and a great-grandson, Beau Ryan Bender.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Armah Immaculate Conception Cemetery fund in c/o John Bender.

Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in North English is handling the arrangements. Messages and tributes may be left at under obituaries.

The family would like to thank the staff at the English Valley Care Center for the wonderful care given to Maxine during her two-year stay.