Nina Jo (Noellsch) Bender, age 88, of New Point, Missouri passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at the Oregon Care Center.
Nina was born at home near Oregon, MO on October 13, 1935, the only child of Kenneth J. and Irene E. (Kneale) Noellsch. Nina said she never felt like an only child, because she was surrounded by so many wonderful cousins.
Nina graduated from Horace Mann High School, Maryville, MO. She then attended Northwest Missouri State University and graduated with a degree in Home Economics. It was also at NWMSU where she met her husband. On November 17, 1955, Nina married Viron Kay Bender. They became proud parents of three children, Shannon Lane, Sheldon Lee and Sharla Lynn Bender.
Nina worked as a secretary for a church in St. Joseph, while Viron was away serving in the military. She was also the secretary for Bender Farms, Inc. for over 50 years. Nina would say that her favorite and most important job was caring for her husband and three children. She loved and cared for them from New Point, MO all the way to Chokoloskee, FL. Nina’s gentle, patient, giving and meek personality made her the perfect co-pilot for the many adventures and gardening tasks her husband led. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, painting, cooking, gardening and canning the abundant harvests.
Nina’s favorite moments were spent spending time with family and friends. She loved how her family had grown to 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly. Nina’s faith was important to her and her life shined bright for Jesus. She was committed to praying for her family and friends.
Nina was preceded in death by her parents; two sister-in-laws Rita McDonald and Dena Evans; and her husband of 66 years, Viron Kay Bender.
Survivors include her sons, Shannon (Laurie) Bender of Tulsa, OK, Sheldon (Denise) Bender of New Point, MO; daughter, Sharla (Mark) Smith of Tahlequah, OK; 10 grandchildren, Bobi (Marcus) Throneburg, Kyle (Brittani) Bender, Andrea (Caleb) Loafman, Shawn Bender, Hunter (Hannah) Smith, Sierra (Colton) Smith-Cox and Antonio, Amos, Annika and Jessa Bender; and 11 great-grandchildren, Enoch, Noah, Josiah and Cora Loafman, Madilynn, Graham, and Maya Bender, Lincoln, Bishop and Moses Throneburg and Augustus Cox.
Funeral services: Saturday, March 23, 11:00 am, Chamberlain Funeral Home, Oregon. Private interment: New Point Cemetery. Memorials: The Source Medical Clinic, 2613 S Main St, PO Box 637, Maryville, MO 64468.
