Geoline (Brenneman) Bender

Geoline (Brenneman) Bender was born in 1931, the daughter of Daniel and Saloma (Erb) Brenneman. She had one old sister and two younger brothers. She grew up on the family farm in Southeast Hope Township, east of Tavistock. Deitsch was Geoline’s first language. She attended the Sebastopol Public School and graduated from grade 8. Her family attended the East Zorra Mennonite Church. Geoline met Nelson Bender when her older sister, Beatrice, married Nelson’s older brother. In 1951 Geoline and Nelson were married and moved into the Dawdy Haus on the Bender farm (Lot 35-36, Concession 15, East Zorra Township) where Nelson had grown up. In addition to working alongside her husband on the farm, Geoline made and sold baked goods at the Stratford Market. Later she worked for many years in a nursing  home. Geoline and Nelson had no children but were close to their nieces and nephews. She was a member of the East Zorra congregation and for decades was involved in the sewing circle and children’s programs. In 1982 her husband died suddenly and about a year later Geoline moved to Tavistock. In 2022 at the age of 91 failing health prompted her to move into the Maples Home for Seniors in Tavistock. She died in 2023.