Betty Bender, 99
Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Bender, age 99 of Yankton, S.D., went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Oakview Terrace Nursing Home in Freeman, S.D. A funeral was held Thursday, Sept. 19 at Salem Reformed Church, Menno, S.D., with Rev. Michael Hecht officiating.
Elizabeth (Betty) Susette Daffern was born Dec. 20, 1924, in Webster Grove, Ill., to Frank and Vivian Daffern. She lived with her family in St. Louis, Mo, until she was in high school, when they moved to Prescott, Ariz. After her high school graduation, she attended nursing school in Tucson, Ariz., until her marriage to the love of her life, Dominic Rigo, on Nov. 4, 1945. To this union six children were born.
She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved getting together with family. When her children were young, she was a 4-H leader, PTA member, and enjoyed playing games and cards with family and friends. Mom welcomed nieces and nephews for extended stays during the summer and opened her home to two foreign exchange students. She was famous for letting her nieces, nephews, and her children’s friends know that they were “company for 24 hours; and after that you’re family”!
After her children had moved, she volunteered for the Red Cross (San Francisco Earthquake in 1981). She enjoyed Elder Hostel courses for seniors, clowning, reading the Bible at the nursing home, and become a hospital chaplain in later years. She was a generous, caring, hospitable woman who knew the Lord and lived her faith.
On Dec. 24, 1970, she married Orin Bender. They were married until his passing in 2001. Betty is survived by her children: Susan Peters (Roy, Utah), Betsy (Joe) Elliott (Philadelphia, Pa.), Patty (Vic) Stuelpnagel (Yankton, S.D.), Janet Toso (Littleton, Colo.), and Jim (Sue) Rigo (Freeman); 13 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
Betty was preceded in death by her daughter Caroline Marie; husband Nick Rigo; husband Orin Bender; her brother, Kenyon Daffern; and son-in-law Darrell Toso.
Memorials may be directed to the Salem Reformed Church Improvement Fund, Salem Reformed Church, Menno, SD.
