Helen L. Bender

Helen Lorraine Bender Kosen died peacefully Thursday, June 25, 2009, at her home near Glyndon, MN. Helen was born September 6, 1929 in Moorhead, MN, the second of five children born to Nidia Halgrimson and Alvin Kosen. She graduated from Moorhead High School in 1947 and on April 1, 1951 became employed by Dr. G.A. Larson, ophthalmologist. Helen subsequently worked for Dr. C.K. Fercho of the Fercho Eye Clinic for 42 years as his medical office manager, retiring in 1992. She married Robert Bender November. 29, 1963 and spent 39 happy years with him at their home in Glyndon, MN and at their lake home on Big McDonald Lake, until his death from West Nile Disease on September 9, 2003.Helen moved to the home of their daughter and patient son-in-law on January 22, 2009, Glyndon, MN. Her greatest wish was to be with her family, so she was very happy living with them and with her cat Sweetie. During the last months of her life she was cared for by the loving and professional staff of the MeritCare Transitional Care Unit, MeritCare Home Care, Comfort Keepers. They all showed her much compassion and encouragement during her challenging illness. The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to the "Doves," Lois Hoffman, Gloria Hadden and Autumn Wagner for their kind hands and loving care of Helen during her final days. A special heartfelt thank you goes to Giny Mulari, friend and caregiver who comforted Helen physically with her hands and spiritually with her heart and witness and who made it possible for Helen to remain at home with her daughter and son-in-law. The family also sends a hearty and heartfelt thank you to all of Diane's social worker and nurse friends for their friendship, kind words, guidance and prayers through the years of Helen's illness.Helen was an avid reader, gardener and ceramist and was always eager to go shopping. She enjoyed having her hair done, her nails polished and always wore lipstick.Helen will be missed by her family and friends. Her grandchildren and great granddaughter, Faith, were the joys of her life.She is survived by her daughter Diane Lunde, and son-in-law David Lunde, of Glyndon; brother Waldo Eulale Kosen of Moorhead, MN; sister Verna Lageson of Modesto, California, sister Yvonne Oldervik of Colorado Springs, CO. Also surviving are her grandchildren Jenny Chris Keller of Clear Lake, SD, Robert Heather Lunde of Hanover Park, IL and special little great granddaughter, Faith Keller of Clear Lake, SD and many nieces and nephews.Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert, sister Shirley Miller and many relatives and friends.