Alex Bender January 28, 1926 - November 28, 2010BENDER - The death of Alex Bender of Bruno, SK, occurred peacefully at Humboldt District Hospital, Humboldt, SK, on Sunday, November 28, 2010. He was 84 years of age. Alex was born on January 28, 1926, to Joseph and Amelia (nee Maier) Bender at Macklin, SK. He was two years old when the family moved to a farm five miles north of Bruno. Alex grew up there and attended Hoffman School, which was three and a half miles from home. Following his formal education, he stayed home to help on the farm. On November 3, 1948, Alex married Viola Nett in Willmont R.C. Church. Nine children, six daughters and three sons, were born to them. Following their marriage, Alex and Viola resided on the Bender homestead for eight years, then moved into the town of Bruno. They lived there until relocating to an acreage one mile south of town which was "home" for the next 26 years. In 1992, Alex and Viola once again moved into town. Throughout Alex's life, he raised livestock, farmed for himself and worked on a number of other farms in the area. He was also employed at Hillcrest Farms and United Grain Grower. Alex thoroughly enjoyed that lifestyle and had a passion for the land, which also extended to gardening. Although he spent innumerable hours working, he and Viola made a point of visiting with their relatives on a weekly basis. Family gatherings at their home were always special events too, and Alex would usually get in a good game of poker with his grandchildren. Other favourite leisure activities included listening to country music, singing, yodeling, playing cards, and reading. Memories of Alex will forever bring to mind his good-natured and easy going personality, his on-going optimistic outlook and how he never complained, the pride he took in looking sharp, his great sense of humor, and his love of joking, teasing, and telling stories. Alex will be lovingly remembered by his nine children and their families: Elaine Kirtzinger (Wes Proctor) of Bruno and family, Darcy (Isabelle) Kirtzinger and children Chantel and Dalton of Kelowna, BC, Shelley (Tony) Madeira and children Courtney and Chelsey of Penticton, BC; Patti (Larry) Richelhof of Saskatoon, SK, and family Cassandra (Ryan), Dylan, Dawn and her son Ty; Glen (Judy) Bender of Osoyoos, BC, and family Mandy (Richard) Kempf of Kelowna, BC, Kelly (Nigel) Burrows and son Owen of Prince George, BC, and Clayton Bender of OK Falls, BC; Joan (Tim) Goncalves-Carr of Victoria, BC, and her son Ryan (Shelby) Goncalves of Abbotsford, BC; Fay (Al) Melz-Fisher of Saskatoon and her son Cody (Ashley) Melz and children Kaedence and Gage of Hague, SK; Ruth (Mark) Weiman of Bruno and son Cameron (Tecia) Weiman of Warman, SK; Gordon Bender and son Jaxon of Bruno; Terry Bender (Barb Jackson) of Victoria, BC; Tammy (Bob) Krentz and family, Joel (Serene) and Kalee (Dylan), all of Saskatoon. He was predeceased by his wife, Viola (nee Nett) Bender (1995); parents, Joseph and Amelia (nee Maier) Bender; one grandson, Derek Weiman (2004); one son-in-law, Barry Melz (1997); six brothers: John, Joseph, Peter, George, Jacob and Leo; two sisters: Mary Sand and Molly Bender (in infancy). The Funeral Mass for Alex was offered at St. Bruno R.C. Church, Bruno, on Thursday, December 2, 2010, at 10:30 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Joseph Ackerman, OSB. Others taking part were: Jaxon Bender, cross bearer; Dawson Bender and Jaxon Bender, altar servers; Gordon Bender, Darcy Kirtzinger, Dylan Richelhof, Clayton Bender, Ryan Goncalves, Cody Melz, Cameron Weiman, and Joel Krentz, urn bearers; Ed Felix and Gordon Bender, scripture readers; Kalee Krentz, Cassandra Richelhof and Shelley Madeira, intentions; all of Alex's grandchildren, words of remembrance; Dawn Richelhof and Mandy Kempf, gift bearers; Dion Niebrugge, Michael Hergott and Denise Krentz, music ministry; Rita Thoms and Lillian Theissing, memorial table attendants. Interment took place at St. Bruno R.C. Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to either the Saskatchewan Lung Association or the Bruno Friendship Centre. SCHULER-LEFEBVRE, Humboldt, SK.