Connie Bender

Connie L. Bender, 78, longtime Cedar Rapids, Iowa resident, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 10, 2024 in Atlanta, GA. For the past 17 years, while holding tight to her midwestern roots, she lived in the Atlanta area to escape the cold winters and be close to her grandchildren and extended family. For the past three years she resided at the King'sBridge Retirement Community in Atlanta.

Born December 11, 1945 in Dundee, IA, Connie was the second of five daughters born to Howard and Novallean (Alderson) Glass. She graduated from Cedar Rapids Washington High School. She met the love of her life, Jerry Bender, while working at the old Eagle Foods store on 1st Avenue and they remained happily married for 48 years until Jerry's passing.

Living in a rural neighborhood outside of Cedar Rapids, Connie enjoyed gardening, keeping a pantry full of fruits, vegetables, and jelly which she canned to survive the winter months. She especially enjoyed planting and maintaining flowers for each season. Local garage sales and auctions were rarely missed as she continued to add to her eclectic collection of antiques. She was particularly fond of Christmas, decorating her entire home with hand-made crafts, ornaments, and wreaths as well as selling them at local craft sales and church bazaars. Other hobbies included sewing, needlepoint, crocheting, coin collecting, and became an excellent baker of cakes and other sweets.

Connie loved to travel and to share her experiences of visiting all 50 states with Alaska being the highlight. She and Jerry visited Las Vegas regularly to take in the entertainment while enjoying a respite from the cold Iowa winters. Later, Hilton Head, South Carolina became an annual destination with her sisters and close friends.

Connie was proud to be a secretary in the age of typewriters, boasting about her 125 words per minute typing skills and accuracy. In Cedar Rapids she loved working at Grant Wood Area Education Agency and later for law firms as a legal secretary. Upon moving to Georgia, she worked in bookkeeping until her retirement in 2018.

Connie had a passion for giving back. As a member of the Cedar Rapids chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, she focused on philanthropy in the local area, often holding meetings at her home to plan for these events. The sorority created lifelong friendships which continued even after she and Jerry moved Georgia where she continued to give to local charities including the Humane Society and Toys for Tots. She volunteered for many non-profits including the Cumming Playhouse and as a den mother when her boys were in the Cub Scouts.

As a mother to her two sons, Connie devoted countless hours to their activities including traveling long distances for BMX racing events. She ensured they both continued their academic endeavors with both boys attending Iowa colleges. Connie and her family were long-time members of St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids. Her "no nonsense" attitude will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her two sons, Craig (Donna) Bender of Cedar Rapids, Kevin (Jill) Bender of Decatur, GA, two grandchildren, Audrey and Matthew Bender of Decatur, GA, sisters Sharon Porch of Roswell, GA, Debra Simonsen of Alpharetta, GA, and Billie Graham of Cumming, GA along with many nieces and nephews across the country.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 48 years, Gerald (Jerry) Bender, and sister Judy Fruehling.

A memorial service is planned for December 16, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in John's Creek, GA with reception to follow.

A reception and burial will occur in spring 2025 in Keystone, IA at the Bender Family Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marine Corp Toys for Tots at www.toysfortots.org