Rodney Dale Bender

Rodney Dale Bender of Portland, Oregon formally of Kalona was born October 26, 1970 in Colorado Springs, CO the son of Lloyd and Joyce (Brenneman) Bender. Rodney graduated from Iowa Mennonite School and Evergreen State College in Washington State with a degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Community Development. He has lived in Portland for the last 15 years. Where he worked for Growing Gardens for 10 years and more recently the City of Portland. Rodney enjoyed camping, hiking, gardening and spending time with friends and family. Rodney passed away Wednesday September 23, 2015 in Portland, Oregon at the age of 44 years.

He is survived by his parents: Lloyd and Joyce Bender of Kalona; two sisters: Heidi (Andrew) Willems of Kalona and Heather Bender of Iowa City; a nephew: Simon and a niece: Eden; and Kellen Smith of Portland, Oregon.

A Memorial Service will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, October 3, 2015 at the Kalona Mennonite Church. Pastor Scott Swartzendruber will officiate. Visitation will be held Friday, October 2, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for Growing Gardens in Portland, Oregon.