Irene Bender, 94, of Rocky Ford, CO, passed away Sunday, June 3rd, peacefully, at her home.

Irene was born in Colorado Springs, CO on October 5, 1923, a daughter of the late Edna Mae (Skinner) Alston-Calvert. She graduated from Palmer High School in Colorado Springs, CO.

She was the widow of John Daniel Bender, they were married on July 14, 1941 in Colorado Springs, CO. He preceded her in death on May 17, 1985.

Irene was a member of First United Methodist Church in Rocky Ford, CO since 1954.

She worked as a Manager at Credit Union Savings & Loan Rocky Ford.,Irene had also worked as the secretary for Johnny's Auto Service, Rocky Ford Savings and Loan and she retired from the Rocky Ford Credit Union after being the Manager for the last 3 years.

Irene was more than just involved in this community, her list of activities rivals many: room mother for her children at the Washington School many times; served as Secretary for Washington School PTA; 4H Leader for Girls cooking and sewing and the Boys cooking; 4H Judge for the Girls sewing; MYF Leader for 5 years; member and Chairman on all three Methodist Church Meetings; Ad Board, Pastor Parish and Chairman of the old Council of Ministries; Secretary for Rev. Burnworth in the old Methodist Church; President of Mothers for DeMolay Boys; all the offices of Cheerful Budgeteers Extension Club; All the offices of the Extension Council; District 7 Director of Extension Service; Treasurer of UMW since 1994; on the Board of the Salvation Army since 1997; member of the Community Thrift Shop since 1982 and served as the Treasurer since 1995; sang in the Golden Tones for several years; joined the Church Choir when Mary Alice Whittaker was the Director and was a member of the La Junta Senior Center.

Irene is survived by: two daughters, Carol (Jack) Dowell, of Yuma, CO; Donna (Kent) Lusk, of Rocky Ford, CO; a son, Gary (Carolyn) Bender, of Lancaster, CA; three sisters, Grace Tamlin, Thelma Kimberlin, and Rita Willey; a brother, Tom Alston; She is also survived by grandchildren: Dan (Judy) Dowell; Chery (Adam) Beauprez; Greg (Cecilia) Dowell, Hollie (Ian) Baca; David Lusk; Jeff (Miko Shinoda) Bender; Great-Grandchildren: Kaci (Clay) Porter; Sara (Cory Stelling) Brandner; Taner Brandner; Dani (Joe Dohrmann) Dowell; Andi Dowell; Niki Dowell; Jessica Dowell; Dillon Dowell; Kyle Bender; Emiko Bender; Fletcher Baca; Lilliana Baca; Great-Great Grandchildren: Conner Porter; Emma Porter.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband; great-great-grandchild: Jameson Porter; sister: Clara Toth; brother: Richard Alston.

Funeral Services will be at 10:30 AM on Monday, June 11th at First United Methodist Church in Rocky Ford, CO with Pastor Marty Lee officiating. Viewing will be held 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Sunday, June 10th at the Ford - Ustick Funeral Home in Rocky Ford, CO. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Rocky Ford, CO. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church 301 W. Washington Rocky Ford, CO 81067 or Arkansas Valley Hospice; 531 Lewis Av.; La Junta, CO 81050.

Casketbearers are Dan Dowell, Greg Dowell, David Lusk, Jeff Bender, Taner Brandner, Dillon Dowell, Honorary casketbearers are Adam Beauprez, Clay Porter, Ian Baca, Kyle Bender.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ford - Ustick Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to www.fordustick.com.