Leo A. Bender Sr., 71, died February 13, 2014 at Hays Medical Center. Born August 9, 1942 in Fort Collins, Colorado, he was the son of Leo and Lydia (Greenwald) Bender. On April 4, 1970 he married Elizabeth "Betty" Schmitt in Great Bend. A resident of Great Bend for forty-three years, coming from Russell, he was a unit driver for a well servicing company for thirty years and then worked in housekeeping at St. Rose Ambulatory and Surgery Center for ten years until his retirement. He enjoyed fishing. Mr. Bender was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Bender, of the home; one son, Leo A. Bender Jr. and his wife Kristi of Great Bend; one daughter, Stefani Shumate of Great Bend; two sisters, Linda Casper of Russell and Louanna Hanes of Cushing, Oklahoma; one brother, John Bender of Virginia Beach, Virginia; and two grandchildren Aaron Shumate and Bradley Shumate. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m., Sunday, February 16, 2014 at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, February 17, 2014 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend with Father Don Bedore officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend Cemetery North. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Sunday, February 16, 2014 at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Prince of Peace Parish, in care of the funeral home.