Judy Bender
Sept. 3, 1940 – June 26, 2026
Judy Ann (Henderson) Bender, 85, of Lebanon, died at home on June 27, 2026.
Born in Albany, Judy was raised by her grandparents, Arthur and Bertha Chambers.
Judy participated in FFA and won over 100 awards, including Top Showman, Top Young Breeder and Grand Champion Dairy Cow. She was a 1958 Linn County Dairy Princess.
Dave Bender helped Judy open her locker on the first day of her freshman year and became the love of her life. They were married on Oct. 5, 1959. Judy was a homemaker and volunteer, as well as President of FISH, a member of St Mary’s Catholic Church and Catholic Daughters.
Dave and Judy resided in Albany and Tangent until his passing in 2012, at which time Judy moved to Lebanon.
Judy enjoyed her family, flowers, high school sports events, the Oregon Coast, shopping, and a good watermelon.
Surviving are children Kim Nichols (Rob) of Albany, Kate Hall (Randy) of Sweet Home and Tony Bender (Cammie) of Lebanon; grandchildren Jenna Nichols (Will) of Lebanon, Shelby Wageman (Daniel) of Jefferson, McKenzie Bender, Nicole Bender (Chase) of Lebanon and great-granddaughters McKenna and Madilyn Villarreal and Ryan Fletcher all of Lebanon. Also surviving are brother Jim Dannals of Ocean Park, Wash.; sister Linda Long of Olympia, Wash.; sister-in-law Judy Bender Bachman (Dale) of Springfield; niece Sommer Molina; and nephews Geoff, Grant and Gary Keeney and Kyle Long.
Judy is preceded in death by husband Dave Bender; stepfather and mother Russ and Virginia Strait; father and mother-in-law Richard and Madeline Bender; sister-in-law Barbara Keeney; brother-in-law Keith Long; and niece Kristin Long.
A memorial mass will be held for Judy at 10 a.m. Friday, July 31, at St. Edwards Church in Lebanon. Interment will be at Willamette Memorial Park Cemetery.