Bethine Mae (Yung) Bender

Bethine Mae Bender, 91, passed away on Friday, October 18th, 2024, at Kansas Christian Home, Newton Kansas.  She was born on August 16th, 1933 to W. F. and Lola Yung in Kinsley, KS.

The family moved to Halstead, KS where she met and eventually  married the boy next door, Gene Bender, on June 6, 1954 after attending Kansas State University where she proudly played French horn in the KSU band creating memories of a lifetime.  After their wedding, they made their home in rural Kinsley for 68 years.  Bethine loved caring for the house her grandfather built  and homesteaded in the early 1900’s.  She happily raised chickens, planted flowers and took care of many litters of kittens plus always had a house cat.

Bethine finished her Bachelor’s degree at Fort Hays State University in Elementary Education.  She taught 4th grade in Kinsley for several years and then worked as a substitute and paraprofessional for years until retirement in the late 80’s.

Bethine was a life-long learner, her hands were rarely idle.  She was an accomplished seamstress, baker, cookie/ cake decorator and painter.  She taught herself many crafts from beadwork, calligraphy to paper crafts including scherenshnitte. In her later years she made many beautiful quilts. She was a perfectionist, and her work often proved it.  Bethine loved to travel with Gene.  Together they created many happy memories with friends and family.

Being active in the community, Bethine was a member of several civic organizations including Red Hats, Edwards County Extension, 4-H sewing leader, local square dance clubs, church choir, and community bands.  She was a devoted mother and grandmother always supporting their many activities.  Bethine was a long-time member of the Congregational United Church of Christ and later a member of the First Christian Church of Kinsley.  She made beautiful banners for both churches.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters Thelma Faye (Yung) Weide and Eva Lee (Yung) Butin.

Bethine is survived by her husband, Gene Bender of the home, children, Charles ‘Chuck’ Louis Bender of Halstead, KS; Amy Elizabeth (Bender) Bauer and husband Steve Bauer of Kinsley, KS; grandchildren Katherine ‘Katie’ Elizabeth Bauer of Carbondale, CO, William ‘Billy’ Steven Bauer and wife Mikayla Bauer of Oakley, KS; brother Bill Gene Yung of Galena, MO; and several nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Bethine was known for remembering birthdays and always sent newsy, witty notes to family members.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, October 22nd at the First Christian Church of Kinsley.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the First Christian Church of Kinsley in care of McKillip Funeral Home, Kinsley.