Melvin Bender

Melvin P. Bender, 88, of Polk, died on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at York General Hearthstone Care Center in York. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Central City with Pastor Richard Kothe officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 12th from 5-7 p.m. at the church. Interment will be held at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later time. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral. com.

Melvin was born on August 12, 1935 to Paul and Marie (Brauer) Bender in Seward. He attended Seward Country School, as well as Clarks Schools and graduated from Clarks High School in 1954. On March 27, 1955 Melvin was united in marriage to Phyllis Eaton at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Central City. To this union were four children. Melvin lived his entire married life in the Polk area where he had his own dairy farm, until 2012 when he retired and moved into the town of Polk.

When he wasn’t working, Melvin enjoyed fishing, raising fish, and woodworking. Many of his woodworking projects are still used by his family. He was a member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Central City. He was also a member of the Polk Fire District for over 50 years, where he served as the President for several years. He was on the Polk Public School Board, and a past member of Mid-America Dairymen Association.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Phyllis; his children, Vic (Ronda) Bender of Beatrice, Kathie (Dennis) Carlstrom of Polk, Patti (Randy) Saner of North Platte, and Terry (Melanie) Bender of Hordville, 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Bernice Eaton and Janice Bade.