Esther Bender

Esther Holle Bender was born in Youngtown, North Dakota, to John and Emma Moltzen Holle on December 21, 1914. She was reunited with her parents and other family members on April 10, 2008. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at 2:00 PM CDT at Peace Church in New Salem with Rev. Joshua Eddy officiating. Burial will be at Peace Church Cemetery following the funeral service. Visitation will be Tuesday from 1:00 - 6:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, and there will be a special gathering for family and friends on Tuesday evening starting at 6:00 PM. Visitation will continue Wednesday from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM at Elmcrest Manor in New Salem and also one hour prior to the service at the church. Esther grew up in Youngtown where she attended a one-room rural school. She worked many years in her parents' mercantile store in Youngtown and served as an assistant postmistress. Esther married Walter Henke in 1934. They had two children, Roswell Mary of Bismarck and Leon Twila of Bismarck. After Esther and Walter were divorced, she later married John Bender. They had one son, Kim Mary Bender of Platteville, Colorado. Esther and John briefly lived on a farm near New Salem before moving into town, where Esther worked for many years at the Metropolitan Bar. Never driving a car, she walked many miles when going to and from work or when shopping in Bismarck before the days of shopping malls, reflecting her strength of character. Esther loved playing the piano. People still say that no one could play the piano like Esther. Although she couldn't read music, she was the center of many a house party. When Esther would sit down at the piano, everyone gathered around to sing. Esther put her whole self into the playing - so much so that the whole house would shake. She played with a unique style. Using mostly the black keys, which most people like to avoid, she developed her special artistic expression. Later, when entering New Salem's Elm Crest Manor in 1988, Esther played the piano for many of Elm Crest's Church services. Some of those folks had never known that church music could have so much life. Esther enjoyed holidays, especially Christmas. She spent many hours in the kitchen preparing fabulous holiday meals, consisting of turkey, goose and ham, or a huge roast. Each of the grandkids received their very own Cornish game hen. It became a tradition. Her rich and creamy kuchens were extraordinary - out of this world! Esther made certain that her parents got to enjoy the holidays with her family, and their birthdays were always celebrated with a special meal. No number of guests seemed too large for Esther to feed, and she always had tons of food left over. Esther ensured that her parents were well taken care of and made regular visits to her mother, often bringing her homemade meals during her time in the New Salem nursing home. Shortly after her second husband died, Esther entered Elm Crest Manor in 1988 and lived there until the time of her death. She often said that it was the greatest place to live. Esther will be greatly missed by her children and grandchildren. She leaves behind her sons, Roswell and Leon Henke, and Kim Bender and her daughters-in-law, Mary, and Twila Henke, Mary Lake, Renae, Brenda, and Carolyn; her son-in-law, Clarence Nilles; her stepdaughter, Norrine Vogel and her husband, Ed; her grandchildren, Becky Moses Goodwin, Ashley Henke, Steven Henke, Scott Amy Henke, Shannon Larson, Judy Muth, Mitch Nilles, Mike Nilles, Jim Nilles, Jason Genter, and Justin Genter; and her great-grandchildren, Taryn, Quinton, Alex, and Taylor. She also leaves behind her sisters-in-law, Pauline Holle, Esther Kaelberer, Marion Reinke, Emma Kurtz, and LaVerne Jewell; her brothers-in-law, Clarence Henke and Nelvin Charollete Henke; her brothers' children, Wayne Kathy Holle, Mary LaRoy Lennie, and Greg and Grant Paula Holle; and other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Emma Holle; her husbands, Walter Henke and John Bender; her two brothers, Ben and Harold Holle and their wives; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; her mother in law, Magdalena Bender; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Eli and Mary Henke; her niece, Pat Holle; and a very special friend, Amanda Kuether. Memorials are requested for the music department at New Salem High School, PO Box 378, New Salem, ND 58563 or for Elm Crest Manor, 100 Elm Avenue, New Salem, ND 58563.

Esther Bender

December 21, 1914 - April 10, 2008