Karen K. Bender

Karen K. Bender, 70 of Hesston, Kansas, passed away Monday, September 29, 2025 at Ascension via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. She was born on November 24, 1954 in Corvallis, Oregon to Duaine and Rose (Folmsbee) Esbenshade. Karen received Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized at that time, Logsden Mennonite Church (currently Logsden Neighborhood Church), Logsden, Oregon. Her faith was very important to her, and she continued to be involved in Mennonite congregations wherever she lived. She graduated from Siletz High School in Siletz, OR, attended Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon, and later received her bachelor’s degree in Bible and Religion in 2001 from Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas. Karen was united in marriage to LaMar E. Bender on December 31, 1982 in Glendale, Arizona. He survives of the home after 42 years of marriage. Prior to their meeting, Karen served 2 terms of Voluntary Service through Mennonite Board of Missions. The first was in Glendale, Arizona and the second was in Richmond, Virginia. She also served as a pastor’s spouse alongside LaMar at that time, Pea Ridge Mennonite Church (now Pea Ridge Community Church), Palmyra, Missouri for over 7 years. Karen worked as a cook for Hesston College Food Services for over 26 years. She loved interacting with the college students. She felt that one way to make her college degree practical was to “nourish students” as both a cook and a theologically trained layperson. Karen was very pragmatic in the way she approached many things in life and found a way to integrate her faith into her pragmatism. She was a longtime member of the Hesston Mennonite Church, involved in the DORCUS circle women’s group and was active in Sunday School Vessel’s class. Karen also volunteered at the Et Cetera Shop in Newton. She loved interacting with children and reading children’s (and many other kinds of) books. Karen also became involved in Victory in the Valley, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting cancer patients and their families across Wichita and Kansas. She attended their annual conferences for many years. She is survived by her husband, LaMar Bender of the home; mother, Rose Esbenshade of Siletz, OR; daughters, Elizabeth Unruh of Goessel and Rebecca (Linden) Friesen of Kansas City, MO; six grandchildren, Emilia, Elianna, Avery and Ethan Unruh, and Nora and Ivar Friesen; brothers, Steve (Sharon) Esbenshade of Yelm, WA, and Jerry (Nikki) Esbenshade of Siletz, OR; and sister, Peggy (Randy) Beck of Windsor, IL. Karen was preceded in death by her father. Cremation is planned with memorial services to be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Hesston Mennonite Church. Private burial will take place at Eastlawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Victory in the Valley in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 32, Hesston, KS 67062.

Karen K. Bender

November 24, 1954 - September 29, 2025