Louis Bender is taken by death widely-known valley resident succumbs here this morning
Louis Bender, 65, a widely known Ellensburg and Kittitas Valley resident for nearly half a century, died at his home this morning [March 22, 1946]. He had been in ill health for several months and had undergone two operations at Swedish Hospital in Seattle
Born in Onondaga, Mich., in 1880, he came to Ellensburg in 1899. He was employed at the Clarence Palmer livery stable for seven years. Identified with livestock and farming virtually all his life, he left the Palmer Livery to take a contract hauling freight for the building of the Milwaukee railroad through the valley
He was thus engaged when he was married to Maria Elizabeth Hayes, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Hayes of Ellensburg, on June 22, 1908
Later he operated the Lobby Pool Hall here for five years and then purchased a ranch north of Ellensburg, where he operated the Independent Dairy for 19 years. Five years ago he sold the dairy and purchased the Hamilton ranch in Badger Pocket, where he lived until retiring to a farm on the West Side three years ago
He formerly was active in the Elks, I.O.O.F. and Eagles lodges. Surviving are his widow; five sons, Bernard, Louis, George, Russell, and Harrell Bender; a daughter, Miss Berneice Bender, and seven granddaughters, all of Ellensburg; and a brother, Frank Bender of Glendale, Cal
Funeral arrangements have not been completed
Contributed by: Sheli Steedman
