Mrs. Maria E. Bender, daughter of one of the earliest Kittitas Valley pioneer families, died Saturday morning March 30, 1968, at Bernaths Nursing Home at the age of 82 years. She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James T. Hayes
A Valley resident all of her life, she was married to Louis Bender June 22, 1907, at Ellensburg. He preceded her in death in 1946. She was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Moose for 40 years
Mrs. Bender is survived by four sons; Bernard, Louis, Russell, and Harrell, all of Ellensburg; one daughter, Mrs. Warren (Berneice) Kidder, Ellensburg; three brothers, John and Harry, Ellensburg, and Abe, Kittitas. Another son, George, precede her in death May 3, 1957. She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews
Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Evenson Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the IOOF Cemetery
Contributed by: Sheli Steedman