Ila Maryann Bender

KALONA - Ila Maryann Bender was born September 3, 1926 in Grand Island, Nebraska, the daughter of Benjamin J. and Sarah (Beckler) Hochstetler. Ila moved to Iowa with her family at the age 6 and lived in the North English, Wellman and Kalona communities. At age 12 she was baptized at the East Union Mennonite Church. On April 17, 1949 Ila was united in marriage to Harold Ray Bender at the East Union Mennonite Church. She was a member of Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church where she taught Sunday school and vacation Bible School. She was an active member in WMSC and was past president of the service committee. She enjoyed, quilting, reading, flowers, playing games and especially spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ila passed away on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at Pleasantview Home in Kalona at the age of 90 years.
Ila is survived by 5 children: Nancy (Glen) Gehman of Silver Springs, MD; Ronald (Lorene) Bender of Wellman, IA; Ileen (Elmer) Miller of Kalona, IA; David (Kathy) Bender of Sarasota, FL, and Rose Bender of Allentown, PA; a daughter-in-law Marilyn Bender of Allentown, PA; 12 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and a sister Fern Marner of Kalona. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 2008, a son John, a grandson Micah, and 2 infant brothers.

Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, June 19, 2017 at Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church rural Kalona. Burial will be in Lower Deer Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-6 PM on Sunday, June 18, 2017 at the Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona. A memorial fund has been established for Washington County Hospice.
The Yoder-Powell Funeral Home is caring for Ila and her family.