Mildred E. Bendorf

Mildred E. Bendorf, age 79, of Lancaster died Friday, February 29, 2008 at Orchard Manor Nursing Home, rural Lancaster. She was born on July 11, 1928 in Baker, Montana; the daughter of Frank and Ruby (Haven) Bellis. After Mildred was born, her family left Montana and moved to Steuben, WI. On March 21, 1946, she married J. Donald Bendorf at the United Methodist Church in Lancaster. She had met her future husband at a dance in Rockville. Together they farmed in the Hurricane, South Lancaster, and Fennimore areas. Once married, Mildred became a mother and caregiver to her three sisters, Helen, Phyllis, and Ethie. Over the years she also raised her own seven children and was a caregiver to many. She loved to cook (nobody ever left her house hungry) and she made the best apple pie. Mildred also had a love for animals and she also enjoyed dancing and gardening. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and the Ruths Circle.

She is survived by her seven children: Barbara (Gary) Landon, Lancaster; John (Luann) Bendorf, Lancaster; Nancy (John) Poller, Belmont; Marcia (Mike) Shaw, Fond du Lac; Jeffrey Bendorf, Madison; Paula (Mike) Byers, Blue Mounds; and Rhonda (Marty) Welsh, Verona; 20 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and her two sisters: Helen (Bob) Griffith, Fennimore; and Phyllis (Ed) Nickel, Beloit.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, on March 9, 1999; her parents; her brother, Herbert Bellis; and her sister, Ethie Kirschbaum.

Funeral services were held on Monday, March 3, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Lancaster with Reverend Barbara Cook officiating. Burial was in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Visitation was held at the church on Sunday, March 2, 2008 from 4:00 7:00 p.m., and from 9:30 a.m. Monday morning until the time of services. The Schwartz Funeral Home in Lancaster assisted the family.