"We are so sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort continue to be with you and your family during s difficult time. We all look forward to a time when death will be no more- Rev 21:4. Our prayers are with you. "
In loving memory of
Rodney Dale Bender
October 26, 1970 - September 23, 2015
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.
Tributes
"Sometimes someone enters our lives who is so simply 'there' that we feel immediately at peace without even realizing it. Sometimes someone is so open and generous with his knowledge that we receive his wisdom as if we already know it. Sometimes someone is so loving and honest with us that we feel capable of kindness ourselves. When someone like that leaves the world, we realize how deeply he touched our lives. We grieve losing him, but know that we are each a better person for having known him. This is Rodney Bender, gone so soon yet leaving us so much. Thank God for Rodney Bender!"
"My deepest sympathy to Lloyd, Joyce, Heather, Heidi & all your family. I am so sorry for your loss. I didn't know Rodney well - he was a few years older than I - but he was always kind to me. I remember his bright, engaging smile & his gentle sense of humor. My thoughts are with you all."
"Lloyd, Joyce and family, So sorry to hear of Rodney's passing. May you feel peace and God's loving arms wrapped around you during this time."
"I just learned today that Rodney passed away. I am so saddened to hear this news and to realize the incredible loss of his passing. I have known him for the last several years in his role with the community garden program with the Parks and Rec Dept in Portland, OR. Rodney was so wonderful to work with. He was smart, warm, and caring, and had so much enthusiasm for his work and for us, his fellow gardeners. I send my deepest condolences to his family and friends in Iowa. We will miss him very much here in Oregon."