Dolores Raye "Dee" Bembenek

DOLORES RAYE BEMBENEK
May 18, 1940 ˜ June 21, 2023

Dolores Raye “Dee” (Steward) Bembenek, age 83, of Vancouver, WA, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2023, at Ray Hickey Hospice House after a two year battle with cancer.

Dee was born May 18, 1940 in Garden City, KS, to Dennis and Eileen Steward. She was an only child and moved often with her parents going to many different schools through her childhood, eventually graduating from Jeanerette High School in Jeanerette, LA.

Dee then joined the Navy, based in Patuxent River Maryland, where she also met her spouse, Norman Bembenek. They were married in 1959. They were honorably discharged and moved to Mankato, MN. They had three children, Daniel, Cameron and Elizabeth.

Dee was a wonderful full time mother and homemaker her whole life and created a fun, loving home for our family. She maintained a large garden while we were growing up. She loved arts and crafts, including calligraphy, oil painting, knitting, and other crafts. Dee was endlessly curious about the world and was interested in science, particularly geology. It was fitting that Mt. St. Helens erupted on her birthday. She also loved animals, at times we had a menagerie of pets as part of our family. Her wit was quick and even during her last days, maintained her sense of humor and compassion for others. We will miss her dearly.

Dee is survived by her husband, Norman Bembenek; children, Daniel Bembenek (Anchorage AK), Cameron Bembenek (wife, Ileana Bembenek) and Elizabeth (Bembenek) Springer (husband, Marty Springer); and grandchildren, Stuart Bembenek and Irene Bembenek.

Services will be held at Mill Plain United Methodist Church, 15804 SE Mill Plain Boulevard, Vancouver, WA 98684 on Friday, July 7, 2023 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers please donate in Dolores Bembenek’s name to PeaceHealth Hospice of Vancouver, WA. They took good care of Dee for many months.
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