Virginia Ione Bender

Virginia Ione Bender, age 95, of Tomah, WI, was called into the arms of the Lord on Sunday, November
9th, 2025. Her daughter, Shanna, was holding her hand as she slipped away to claim her place at the
feet of Jesus, and to rejoin her beloved husband, of 74 years, Walter Bender. Virginia spent her final
days in the comforts of her own home being cared for by her four children – Sherieda, Walter Jr.,
Sabrina, and Shanna - receiving visits, calls, and loving text messages from friends and family, including
several of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Virginia was born in Bismarck, ND on September 12, 1930 to LaVern and Evelyn 'Cherida' (Jacobsen)
Richardson. Her early years were spent on a farm near Sterling, ND, where she was joined by her twin
siblings (Glen & Gleneda) when she was 4. The family moved to a farm near Litchville, ND shortly after
that, and Virginia began her education at the nearby one-room schoolhouse. When she was about 12,
the family moved into Litchville, where Virginia played on the championship girls' basketball team, and
graduated from Litchville High School at age 16. That was also where her youngest brother, Lawrence,
was born.
After graduation, Virginia – who went by Ginny at that time -- went to work at Litchville State Bank. She
also did bookkeeping for the Oftedahl car dealership, and worked in the local meat market. For a fun
night out, she and her girlfriends would pile into someone's car and go to dances.
It was at one of those dances – in Grand Rapids, ND – that she first got a glimpse of the love of her life,
Walter – 'Walt' or 'Turk' – Bender. They didn't dance together that Friday night, but that Saturday, Turk
and a buddy 'picked up' Ginny and her girlfriend on the streets of Litchville. The four of them went out.
Ginny had a milkshake and toast.by the time Walt dropped her off at home she knew he was the one
for her.
Walter and Ginny were married on January 28, 1951. It was a sub-zero, wintry day, with a blizzard in the
forecast. People thought they were a little crazy, but they had rented an apartment in Bismarck, where
Walter had just found a job with the Civil Service at Fort Lincoln, and they were ready to start their life
together.
After the move to Bismarck, Virginia held a few different jobs; working at a medical clinic and keeping
books for a feed mill. She and Walt made the most of their time together as a young couple. They did
some pheasant hunting & fishing; they hosted visits from the Bender nieces & nephews (who loved
visiting Uncle Walter & Aunt Ginny), traveled, and made some new lifetime friends. They also started
their family, welcoming their daughter Sherieda in 1957. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Minneapolis
when Walter took a promotion to work for the 5th Army.
They built a new house in the suburb of Brooklyn Center. There they welcomed children Walter Jr.
(1959) and Shanna (1962). During that time, Virginia was a full=time mother, but also would work
evenings at JC Penney, while Walt watched the kids.
In 1965, Walter took a job with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the family moved to Belcourt, ND.
After a year-and-a-half on the reservation, Walt took another job back in Minneapolis, and the family moved back to Brooklyn Center. During that time, Virginia became a Tammy Jewelry saleswoman,
having jewelry parties in people's homes.
In 1968, Walter accepted a job at Fort McCoy, and the Bender clan moved to Tomah. Virginia continued
in her role as 'super mom' – serving as a taxi service, short order cook, financial manager, animal
wrangler, and #1 supporter/caretaker for the whole Bender family; not to mention hospitality queen,
mentor, advocate, & counselor for countless friends & neighbors; and, active member of the church. She
also continued working, beginning with a job at Miller Drug, then moving to Nelson Plumbing, and to
Bentheimer Engineering (which later became Associated Engineers); retiring in 1995. She and Walt
also added to their family in Tomah, adopting their foreign exchange student from El Salvador – Sabrina
Cuellar – as their own in 1979.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Walter; daughter-in-law, Peggy
(Walter) Bender; son-in-law, Jim (Sherieda) Peaslee; grandchild, Lisa Peaslee; great-grandchildren,
Lindsey Knickerbocker & Tre Ross; brother-in-law, Max (Gleneda) Muralt; two sisters-in-law, Laverne
(Glen) Richardson & Judy (Lawrence) Richardson; as well as a long list of other friends and relatives.
She is survived by her 4 children; 8 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild;
sister, Gleneda Muralt; brothers, Glen and Lawrence Richardson; sister-in-law, Sharon Rae Richardson;
brother-in-law, Jim Matzek; and, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Virginia was an incredible wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend. Her upbeat attitude,
wisdom, loving heart, quick mind, strong faith, and ability to see the best in everyone made her a
beacon of light & warmth in the world. Her absence will be deeply felt by everyone whose life she
touched especially her children & grandchildren, who are grateful beyond words to have had her as a
part of their lives.
A Celebration of Virginia's Life will be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at the
Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Pastor Dawn Lindberg will officiate. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, with a luncheon to be served at Peace Lutheran Church.
The service will be livestreamed on the Peace Lutheran Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/PeaceLutheranChurchTomah/
A link to a recording of the service will be available immediately after its conclusion at:
www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Family and friends are invited for visitation on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00
p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are also invited for visitation
Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
Virginia was passionate about ensuring that people were fed – in her home, and in the world – so, in lieu
of flowers, memorials are encouraged to the Tomah Neighbor to Neighbor Food Pantry; Peace Lutheran
Church of Tomah's Kitchen Fund, Library Pantry, or General Fund; or, a charity of your choosing.
Peace Lutheran Church
307 West Warren Street
Tomah, WI 54660
Phone: 608-343-7322
Neighbor to Neighbor Food Pantry
1118 W. Veterans Street
Tomah, WI 54660
Phone: 608-372-6737
The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences
may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.