Madelane Bender

Madelane (Brydels) Bender beloved wife, mother and grandmother died Friday, May 12, 2023 at St. Anne Home surrounded by family, and the caring staff at St. Anne's and Hospice. She was very loved and will be missed dearly. She was 94 years old.

A fantastic cook and baker, Madelane was born on March 10, 1929 in Alexandria, LA to Blondena and Jules Brydels.

In 1952, Madelane met Bob Bender, stationed at Alexandria Air Force Base.  They were married on Feb 14, Valentines Day, 1953. They recently celebrated 70 years of marriage.

Madelane was an avid bowler with a 155 average and bowled in a league at Hillcrest Bowling alley for many years.  She was a wonderful wife and mother, always having dinner on the table for her husband and 6 children every night at 5:30 pm. She was very welcoming to all neighborhood children, always having fresh baked cookies, muffins, cake and pie on hand for everyone! Madelane also took very good care of the many pets brought into the household throughout the years!

She was an incredible grandmother patiently playing games with her grandchildren or cooking them delicious food.

Madelane was a long time member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in New Haven, IN.
After Bob's retirement they enjoyed many trips to Las Vegas Casinos and Louisiana to visit Madelane's family.

Madelane is survived by her loving husband, Robert, her children Joe (Rachel) Bender, Tom (Donna) Bender, Linda (Bobbie) Poynter, Anne (Jim) Bougher, Sue (Cam) Tribolet, and Jill (Andy) Haxton., brother, John Brydels and grandchildren Tyler, Ian, Natalya, Edison, Rita, Jenna, Mandy, Amy, Keith, Kara, Luke, Braden, Julia, Cody, Connor, Maddie and Sam, great grandchildren Alyssa, Aria, Aspen, Delilah, Tucker, Cassidy, Nicholas, Aubrey, Vincent, Violet, Lincoln, and Brooks.

She will be reunited in Heaven with her 1st born baby, Gary Bender, her parents, Blondena and Jules, her sisters, Clementine, and Catherine, and her brother Junior.

Visitation will be 3 to 5 pm Sunday, May 21, 2023 at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave with a rosary at 2:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Monday, May 22, 2023 at St Anne Home, 1900 Randallia Drive, Fort Wayne, IN. To sign the online guest book, go to www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com .

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Anne Home and Retirement Community or ProMedica Hospice.