Bonnie Bender

Bonnie M. Bender, 79, Loyal, passed away at Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Loyal. Rev. Daniel Zimmerman officiated, and burial followed in the Loyal Lutheran Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bill Davis, Kevin Zais, Brady Zais, Shayne Kadolph, Connor Simington, and Seth Hopperdietzel. Visitation was held at the church on Monday, Nov. 17, from 4-8 p.m., and again on Tuesday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.

Bonnie Mae Lavene was born on July 16, 1946, in Greenwood to Alvin B. and Alice E. (Pachal) Lavene. She was raised and received her education in Neillsville, graduating from Neillsville High School in 1964. After high school, Bonnie was employed at the Marshfield Clinic, in Marshfield, as a radiologist until her marriage to Roger L. Bender on May 28, 1966, at Zion Lutheran Church in Granton. They purchased his family’s farm east of Loyal, and farmed their entire married life. After Roger’s death on April 13, 2016, Bonnie remained on the farm until her passing.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, H&K Drifters Snowmobile Club, and the Clark County Homemakers.

Bonnie had many interests, but especially loved spending time with her family and friends, cutting hay and doing fieldwork, snowmobiling, attending the high school basketball games, making Christmas cookies, canning, freezing corn, making salsa, bus trips, and riding along with Lee on his milk route.

She will be dearly missed by her children: Lee Bender (Trisha Stutz) of Loyal, Lori (Kevin) Zais of Spencer, Lynnette (Duane) Johnson of Colby, and Lychelle Bender of Spencer; eight grandchildren: Heather (Bill) Davis, Brady (Cassidie) Zais, Taylor Johnson (fiancé Armando Meraz Lara), Devin Johnson, Natasha Tellock (fiancé Connor Simington), Sheila Tellock, Brittany (Jamie) Griepentrog, and Jason (Nicki) Johnson; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Gary Lavene of Marshfield; and nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Rick Lavene. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, assisted the family with arrangements.

PAID OBITUARY 176834