Marie E. Bender

Marie E. Bender, 91, of Moline, Illinois, died Saturday, October 8, 2016, at home.

Services are 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, Coal Valley, with The Reverend Jim DeBisschop officiating. Burial is in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, East Moline. Visitation is 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Trimble Funeral Home, Coal Valley, where a rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church.

Marie was born in Tilden, Nebraska, the eldest child of Killian and Lucy (Drueppel) Dreifurst. At age sixteen, Marie lost her mother and assumed responsibility for raising her three brothers and one sister. This was the beginning of a lifetime of caring for others. Marie married Edwin Bender on April 12, 1947, in Columbus, Nebraska, and they embarked on a month-long honeymoon tour of the American west. Prior to the trip, Marie had never left Nebraska, and that trip ignited a sense of adventure in her. Marie visited all 50 states and traveled to Europe twice.

Marie was a woman of deep devotion, and was a founding member of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Coal Valley. She took great comfort in her faith, and often volunteered to serve on various committees serving the St. Maria Goretti community.

She will be remembered for her warmth, generosity, and kindness.

Marie is survived by her children, Terry and Sandy Bender of Milan, Dale and Deanna Bender of Atlanta, Illinois, Mary Lou Kennedy of East Moline, Sandy and Dale Witzel of Moline, Jodi and Bill D'Hondt of Coal Valley, Nancy Corelis of Coal Valley, and Barb and Doug Scott of Davenport; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a brother, Norbert "Lefty" and Margaret Dreifurst of Moline. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin; siblings, Edmond, Eugene, and Ramona; granddaughters, Abby Scott and Christina Kennedy; and a daughter-in-law, Lynda (Adams) Bender.

Visit Marie's personal tribute page at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com to share stories and condolences, and light a candle in her memory.