Janet A. Bender's Obituary
Janet Annette Bender, 90, returned to her heavenly home on January 15, 2023, and is now in the eternal splendor of God’s loving embrace.
Born September 16, 1933, in Carroll, Iowa, to Walter and Emma (Kroeger) Platt, Jan was raised on a rural farm in the small town of Glidden, Iowa, graduating from Glidden High School. She attended Iowa Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in Des Moines, Iowa, graduating in 1954. On October 16, 1954, she married her high school sweetheart, Donald Bender. Donald’s initial military service and subsequent career path within the dairy business included numerous transfers which moved them all across the country including Hawaii in later years. Jan valued her role as a supportive wife and mother, raising four children throughout the various relocations.
Jan contributed in the workforce as well, applying her nursing skills in many areas of practice, from emergency rooms to the offices of general and pediatric practitioners. It was her ongoing love and care for children that guided her to neonatal nursing in hospitals for several years in her professional journey. Throughout it all Jan remained a devoted and loving wife and mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
As servants of Christ and long-standing members of Messiah Lutheran Church in Plano, TX, Jan and Don retained many long-term friendships with their church family and others throughout their relocations. Jan enjoyed spending time with family; loving and caring for her pets; travel; classic movies; reading daily bible devotionals, books, and magazines; flowers and gardening; birdwatching; and dining out (Tex-Mex, barbecue, big breakfasts, and Babe’s chicken being top preferences).
Janet is survived by her loving children Kathy Grayson, Linda Bender, Steve Bender and his wife Micaela, Tim Bender and his wife Michele; brother Lynn Platt and his wife Ann, sister in-law Darlene Platt; grandchildren Amber Davis, Blake Bender, Nathan Grayson, Katie Grayson, Madison Timmons, Samantha Frohardt, Blae Morgan, and Danielle Gavitts; and great grandchildren Kendall Davis, Kaleb Davis, Luca Bender, Austin Bender, and Hudson Frohardt; as well as several beloved nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband of sixty years, Donald; beloved brothers Jim Platt and Roger Platt; brother in-law Jerry Bender, sister in-law Joan Platt; and sister in-law Linda Bender.
Following a brief reception, services will be held at 2:00 pm, January 30, 2023, at Messiah Lutheran Church, 1801 West Plano Parkway, Plano, TX 75075. All friends and relatives are welcome. Jan will then be laid to rest at Restland, Dallas, TX, in a private interment for family only.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be offered to Messiah Lutheran Church, at https://onrealm.org/MessiahLutheran43217/-/form/give/now
Prayers, condolences, and memories are gladly welcomed at http://www.restlandfuneralhome.com/obituaries
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