| Father | Otto Joseph Zimmerman (b. 16 August 1891, d. 11 February 1946) |
| Mother | Minnie E. Wieneke (b. 2 October 1891, d. 18 June 1976) |
| Pedigree Link |
| Daughter | Joann Beth Harger+ (b. 29 August 1943, d. 24 July 2015) |
| Daughter | Patricia Lynn Harger |
| Son | Thomas Henry Harger |
| Son | James Robert Harger |
The Decatur Daily Review (Decatur, Illinois); Tuesday, 21 July 1942; Page 11; (Newspapers.com):
Mr. and Mrs. Otto J. Zimmerman of Pana announce the marriage of their youngest daughter, Pauline, to Pvt. Harold L. Harger, formerly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Their wedding took place on July 12, in the chapel at Key Field, Meridian, Miss., where private Harger is stationed. Attendants were Mary Alice Whitman of Tully, New York, and Private Carl V. Fellers, Pana. The couple will reside in Meridian.
Obituary -- Post-Dispatch (St. Louis, Missouri); Sunday, 11 August 2002; Page 34; (Newspapers.com):
HARGER, PAULINE LOIS (nee Zimmerman), on Fri., Aug. 9, 2002; beloved wife of Harold Harger; dear mother of Joann Bender, Patricia Bax, Thomas Harger (Barbara) and James Harger (Karen); sister of Josephine Dudley (Howard); our dear grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, great aunt, great-great-aunt, cousin and friend.
Funeral service to be held at Kirkwood United Methodist Church, 201 West Adams (Kirkwood), on Mon. Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. Interment private. Memorial contributions may be made to Kirkwood United Methodist Church. Visitation at BOPP Chapel, 10610 Manchester Rd. (Kirkwood), on Sunday. from 4 until 8 p.m.
| Last Edited | 24 January 2022 00:00:00 |
| Father | Harold Lenley Harger (b. 4 March 1918, d. 23 August 2008) |
| Mother | Pauline Lois Zimmerman (b. 4 June 1919, d. 9 August 2002) |
| Pedigree Link |
| Son | Scott Patrick Bender+ |
| Daughter | Sarah J. Bender |
| Daughter | Kathleen Bender |
| Son | Bret David Bender (b. 20 April 1977, d. 9 June 2007) |
Obituaryies -- The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Wednesday, 29 July 2015; Page P10; Newspapers.com):
Joann Bender
Iowa City
Joann B. Bender, 72, of Iowa City, died unexpectedly Friday, July 24, 2015. A gathering for family and friends will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 31, at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa city, concluding with a time of sharing, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Following that time, an open house will be held at 2433 Nevada Ave., Iowa City.
Online condolences and a complete obituary can be found at www.gayandciha.com.
Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Services; July 2015 (Internet)
Joann B. Bender
1943 - 2015
Joann B. Bender, 71, of Iowa City, died unexpectedly Friday, July 24, 2015.
A gathering for family and friends will be held from 3-4:30 p.m., Friday, July 31st at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, concluding with a time of sharing, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Following that time, an open house will be held at 2433 Nevada Avenue in Iowa City. Memorials in Joann's name may be directed to the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa.
Joann Beth Bender graduated from Kirkwood High school in St. Louis, Missouri in 1961, and earned her Nursing Degree from St. Louis' Deaconess College of Nursing in 1964. She was dedicated to her career in nursing and to helping others. She worked at the St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Luke's in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, The University of Iowa Orthopedics Department and Hospital Schools. She later worked part-time at WIC of Johnson County.
Joann had a strong sense of community and volunteered continuously throughout her life. She was an active member of Big Brothers Big Sisters, as each of her children where "Littles". She served on the board, organizing events, and as a recruiter. She was integral to the organization's transition from the locally based PALS program to the Big Brothers Big Sisters national affiliation. For the past ten years, she was an active member of the Brain Injury Alliance of Southeastern Iowa, serving on the board, organizing events, and helping to create a support group for caretakers. In 2013 she was named volunteer of the year through The ARC.
She was a devoted single mother of four, a daughter, a big sister, and a friend. She never hesitated to go the extra mile – literally or figuratively – for those she loved. Her love and generosity expended far beyond the family she was born into. Many people regarded her as second a mother and a grandmother. She organized family events, hosted holidays, and was the keeper of the family history. She loved to travel and experience new things. She was an artist, loved to sew and craft. She was a do-it-yourselfer to the end. She was the definition of strength, fortitude, and grace, and demonstrated this through every challenge she faced. She was always present, willing to listen, often giving advice, forming a plan and taking action; whether aiding a friend in need or caring for a sick family member she gave her all. She was an inspiration to everyone who knew her.
Joann was preceded in death by her parents, Pauline and Harold Harger and her youngest son, Bret Bender. She is survived by her children, Scott (Santwana Dasgupta), Sarah and Kathleen (Seth Owen), and their families; a sister, Pat Bax, and brothers, Tom (Barb) Harger, and Jim (Karen) Harger, and their families.
Joann was an amazing, independent woman whose strength and luminosity will continue to radiate. She will continue to be a motivation in the lives of everyone she knew.
Iowa City Press-Citizen, Iowa City, Iowa; Saturday, 21 February 1981; Page 5; (Newspapers.com):
Pals Program: Appreciation Week
The biggest boosters of the Pals Program are probably the people it serves.
Joann Bender, 2433 Nevada Ave., has two children in the program.
Scott, 12, a seventh grader at South East Junior High School, was matched last April with Jack Darland, 316 S. Johnson St., a University of Iowa student.
Sarah, 9, a fourth grader at Grant Wood Elementary School, was matched in November with Pat Curry, 547 Emerald St., an employee of Hawkeye Wholesale.
The Benders wrote letters about their experiences with the program.
A mother's view:
"Single parenting is a balancing act," involves "trying to somehow make time and money and energy stretch far enough to give everyone a fair share," Bender said in a letter of support for the Pals Program.
"Four children (ages 3, 6, 9 and 12) a job, a house, a car, the yard, the finances, laundry, shopping, cooking, illnesses, child care and other activities of daily living seemed at times like a never-ending uphill climb.
"Always conspicuous was the ever present need of four special children for individual recognition, to be talked to and listened to, to develop their own ever broadening personal interests."
"I tried many approaches. I let one stay up late, in turn. I occasionally kept one home from school.
"We took turns having private outings with mom. I pent a lot of money for sitters to leave three to be with one and always came home to three children who felt somewhat slighted and demanded even more of my attention. I felt I always 'owed' something to someone.
"Then I found Pals. My children were enthusiastic from the start and very accepting of my honestly stating the problem: you need a special adult and it can't always be me.'
"We have a family agreement that each child gets a Pal when he or she enters first grade and then gets less of Mom's time. This seems fair to everyone and has eliminated any jealousy from the young ones."
"Scot has learned to travel confidently by bus and can ride his bike safely in city traffic. (His Pal doesn't have a car). He got started in model rocketry with good supervision. (What do Moms know of such things?)
"Sarah made a beautiful piece of macramé (not one of my skills), had help making puppets and someone to listen to her plays which can go on indefinitely.
"Both children are seeing a different life style and are learning attitudes unlike my own which will broaden their consideration of choices as adults.
"While Sarah and Scott are busy with their Pals, I can spend time with the younger children without anyone feeling slighted.
"Even our family outings are more relaxed and fun because no one is pushing forward with a terribly acute need for individual attention.
"Single parenting is still a struggle, though not without its rewards. But Pals has tipped the scales to everyone's advantage in my family.
"My unending gratitude goes out to all the fine people at Pals."
Scott says:
Pals is a good group because:
1. My Mom works 3 to 11 p.m. so we can't really do after school activities.
2. Gives you someone you can really talk to.
3. Show you new things.
4. Gives you another view on problems.
5. Visits give you something to look forward to.
6. Help on work and projects.
7. Can do things with a Pal without little brothers or sisters getting in the way.
Sarah says:
I like having a Pal because I can do new things I didn't know about before like macramé and playing chess. I wasn't able to do a lot of stuff before my pal came because of the two youngest kids in our family. The most fun thing is meeting a new person that likes to do the things you like to do and even more. I like being with my Pal because when my mom can't do something with me once a eek, my Pal can.
| Last Edited | 28 February 2022 00:00:00 |
| Father | Dr. William Logan Bender |
| Mother | Joann Beth Harger (b. 29 August 1943, d. 24 July 2015) |
| Pedigree Link |
Obituary -- The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Tuesday, 12 JUN 2007, p.16 (Newspapers.com):
Bret D. Bender, 30, of 2433 Nevada Ave., Iowa City, died unexpectedly Saturday, June 9, 2007 in his home. A celebration of Bret's life will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City. There will be visitation from 4 to 6 p.m. with services following immediately at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Bret's memory.
Online condolences may be sent for his family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com
Bret David Bender was born April 20, 1977, at La Crosse, Wis., the son of William L. Bender and Joann (Harger) Bender. In 1978 his mother, brother, and sisters moved to Iowa City, where he had resided since.
He graduated from CEC High School in 1995. He was employed as a dispatcher for Marco Cab Co. and was sole proprietor of his own screen printing business, Mind Bender Tees.
Bret loved life, his family and his friends. He enjoyed the outdoors, traveling, hiking, camping, biking, photography, making chain mail jewelry, playing disc golf and playing on the "Preemptive Strike" softball team.
He volunteered at the VA Medical Center and at the Crisis Center helping to clean up after the tornado. He was a unique, creative, sensitive individual,with a kind and beautiful soul.
His family includes his mother, Joann of Iowa City, brother, Scott Bender and his wife, Santwana Dasgupta of Minneapolis, Minn.; sisters Sarah and Kathleen Bender of Iowa City; his father and stepmother William and Heidi Bender of Viroqua, Wis.; his half siblings, John Buck and Logan and Tara Bender; nephew, Alexander Baker-Bender; grandfather Harold Harger of St. Louis, Mo.; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and many, many friends.
Bret was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bernard and Emma Lou Bender and Pauline Harger.
Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremations service is caring for Bret's family and his services.
| Last Edited | 1 March 2022 00:00:00 |
| Pedigree Link |
| Daughter | Pauline Lois Zimmerman+ (b. 4 June 1919, d. 9 August 2002) |
| Last Edited | 5 June 2019 00:00:00 |
| Pedigree Link |
| Daughter | Pauline Lois Zimmerman+ (b. 4 June 1919, d. 9 August 2002) |
| Last Edited | 5 June 2019 00:00:00 |
| Father | Cecil Raymond Ellerman (b. 25 June 1893, d. 2 March 1978) |
| Mother | Lela R. Brandebery (b. 12 April 1900, d. 26 December 1994) |
| Pedigree Link |
| Son | Larry Ellerman |
| Son | Kimberly C. Ellerman |
| Daughter | Peggy Ellerman |
| Daughter | Teena Ellerman |
| Son | David Ellerman |
| Last Edited | 6 June 2019 00:00:00 |
| Pedigree Link |
| Son | Cecil William Ellerman+ (b. 9 August 1924, d. 9 June 2012) |
WW I service, U.S. Army
WW II service, U.S. Army, SSgt.
| Last Edited | 6 June 2019 00:00:00 |
| Pedigree Link |
| Son | Cecil William Ellerman+ (b. 9 August 1924, d. 9 June 2012) |
| Last Edited | 6 June 2019 00:00:00 |
| Father | James Charles McMillen (b. 1 May 1865, d. 12 June 1933) |
| Mother | Margaret Jane Coleman (b. 10 December 1874, d. 4 January 1940) |
| Pedigree Link |
| Son | George James McMillen (b. 27 October 1947, d. 5 August 2002) |
| Last Edited | 7 June 2019 00:00:00 |
| Pedigree Link |
| Son | George Filmer McMillen+ (b. 21 July 1909, d. 12 April 1967) |
| Last Edited | 7 June 2019 00:00:00 |
| Pedigree Link |
| Son | George Filmer McMillen+ (b. 21 July 1909, d. 12 April 1967) |
| Last Edited | 7 June 2019 00:00:00 |
| Father | George Filmer McMillen (b. 21 July 1909, d. 12 April 1967) |
| Mother | Rhoda Frances Stillion (b. 10 April 1925, d. 6 June 1948) |
| Pedigree Link |
| Last Edited | 26 February 2022 00:00:00 |