MARY E BENDER

Mary E. Bender, 84, of Cooperstown, ND, died Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the Griggs County Care Center. Mary, the second of eleven children, was born on the family farm on May 13, 1942, to Christ and Elizabeth (Fiebiger) Helm. She grew up in Cooperstown and graduated from Cooperstown High School in 1960. She was united in marriage to Jim Bender on June 24, 1961, at First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown. They made their home in Cooperstown, where they raised their children, Steven and Deborah.

She is survived by her son, Steven (Laurie) Bender; daughter, Deborah (Bryan) Pfeifer; grandchildren, Rusty Bender, Sharra (Nicholas) Lang, Damian Pfeifer, Charles Olson, Shaqualya (Vincent) Sneed, and LaBrandon Coney; great-grandchildren, Khloe, Rogan, Remi, and Kodi Lang, Theodore Olson, Elias Sneed, and LaBrandon Jr.; brothers, Christopher, Richard (Irene), DuWayne, Albert (Joanie), and Robert (Janice); sisters, Martha Helm, Adeline Olson, and Wanda Seymour; and sister-in-law, Phyllis Helm.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; son, Alan; parents, Christ and Elizabeth; brother, Arnold; sister, Darlene; parents-in-law, Ralph and Agnes; brother-in-law, Paul Bender; and sister-in-law, Jan Helm.

In accordance with Mary’s wishes, no services will be held.