Martha Bender, 98, died Nov. 4, 2016, at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center, Great Bend. She was born Aug. 16, 1918, at Susank, the daughter of Jacob and Anna Marie (Daubert) Maier. She married Louie Bender Nov. 14, 1937, at Russell.  He died November 15, 1969. A Great Bend resident since 1943, coming from Russell, Mrs. Bender was a homemaker.

Mrs. Bender was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend.

Survivors include two daughters, Lela "Lea" M. Johnston of Phoenix, Ariz., and Donna Marie Fronterhouse of Wichita; three sisters, Leona Slankard of Wichita, Edna Nuss of Hoisington, and Eleanora Postlethwaite of Great Bend; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by four brothers, David Maier, Sam Maier, Emil Maier and Edward Maier, and two sisters, Alma Stewart and Hilda Jones.