Passed to her eternal home to sing with the choir of angels on January 21, 2020 at Brandon Woods of Lawrence, KS.
Marge, the first child of Ruby and Chester Quakenbush, was born May 26, 1929 in Emporia, KS.
Marge’s mother later remarried on January 10, 1947 to Roy Cullins with Marge and her brother Warren in joyful attendance. She attended school in Emporia where she graduated from high school. She was employed by Emporia State University where she met Arvin Arthur Bender. They were married September 3, 1950 making their home in Wichita upon Arvin’s graduation and employment by Beech Aircraft. Marge’s career included mother, homemaker, secretary, and bookkeeper. She retired from MBPXL/Cargill as a bookkeeper.
Marge was very active in many activities including bowling, attending Wichita State basketball games, serving as Girl Scout leader, etc. She was a long standing season ticket holder for both Wichita Music Theater and Wichita Symphony. Marge was very active in the church including singing in the choir, cantoring, singing with the Lewis Street Singers, serving in Stephen Ministries, and acting as bookkeeper. She was initially a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and in the late 70s transferred to Reformation Lutheran church.
She is survived by her daughter, Ann Nichols (John); granddaughters, Christine Pecinovsky (Jon) and Sarah Nichols; brother, Warren Quakenbush (Marilyn); sister-in-law, Velma Beeman; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Ruby & Roy Cullins and Chester Quakenbush; husband, Arvin Bender; son, Jimmy Bender; infant twin sons; twin grandsons, George & Edward Nichols; sister-in-law, Lorraine Mai; brother-in-law, Elmer Mai; brother-in-law, Jack Beeman; niece, Vicki Francis; and nephew, Steve Mai.
Marge will be remembered as a gentle, kind, honest, compassionate person who loved her family and church. Marge loved the color red and the family invites attendees to wear red at her memorial service.
A memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday, January 25th, at Reformation Lutheran Church, 7601 East 13th Street North, Wichita, KS. The service will be followed by a short fellowship time and lunch. Following lunch, a short service will occur at the burial site at Resthaven Cemetery, 11800 West Highway 54, Wichita, KS.
Contributions in lieu of flowers, can be made to Reformation Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer’s Association (Heart of America Chapter, 3846 W. 75th Street, Prairie Village, KS 66208) in care of Resthaven Mortuary.
