Donna L. Bender

1944 - 2025

Donna L. Bender

September 10, 1944 - May 6, 2025

Halstead, Kansas - Donna L. Bender, 80, died Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at her residence. She was born September 10, 1944, in Kansas City, MO.

Donna was raised in and lived most of her life in Kansas. She graduated from Salina Central High School in 1962 and went on to earn a BA in Social Work from Washburn University. She also received her Masters of Social Work, with honors, from The University of Kansas and a post master's certificate from The Menninger Foundation in Psychiatric Social Work.

She was a Licensed Specialists Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Clinical School Social Worker. She worked in the Menninger Clinic Children's Division, Topeka; Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City; the American Red Cross; USD 259, Wichita; the Sedgwick County Education Co-Op and Fresenius Dialysis.

Through a lengthy career of working with children and adults in crisis she saw some of the worst of humanity. Yet, she never lost her compassion for others or hope for the future. She was a fiercely opinionated member of the Democratic Party and gave her financial support to causes that aligned with her political and social values. One of her favorite sweatshirts read "Public Radio Nerd" and KMUW was her soundtrack. She was also an avid sports fan who loved basketball and baseball.

She was an accomplished violinist, pianist and organist. In addition to playing and appreciating music, Donna was an avid gardener, a skilled sewist, world traveler and animal lover.

Contributing to her community was a calling for Donna. She was a Girl Scout leader in Maize for many years. Additionally, she volunteered for: the Maize school's Special Education Dept; Maize PTA; the Kansas Learning Center for Health and Neighbors Ministries in Halstead; The Meeting House in Sedgwick; and Book Review, Newton.

She was a Master Gardener through the Harvey County Extension Service and was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, NEA, Washburn University Alumni Association, KU Alumni Association and the Topeka Civic Symphony.

On August 28, 1965, Donna married Jack S. Bender III at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Topeka.

She is survived by her husband, Jack; daughters, Kelley (Jeff) DeGraffenreid, Wichita, Heather (John) Hallford, Mt. Vernon, TX, Marcia (Ken Bedingfield) Bender, Monument, CO; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Marian (Ward) LaMar; and aunt, Maurine Ward.

A memorial gathering will be held at 3 p.m., on June 29th at The Meeting House, Sedgwick, KS.

A private inurnment will take place at Halstead Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be given to The Salvation Army, in care of Kaufman Funeral Home, Halstead.