retire in. Landscaping and gardening have been a life long interest. Lucella enjoys doing flower arrangements for church services and special occasions. Virgil enjoys fishing, carpenter work and being a handyman. Lucella did the baking for North Winneshiek School for 6 years. Virgil was a Farm Bureau member. They are active members of St. John’s Lutheran Church at Locust.

Bender, Walter and Doris (Peterson)

(Walter and Doris Bender)

Walter and Doris Bender 50th anniversary, 1989

Walter Paul Bender was born on the family “Century Farm" in Plesper Twp., Winneshiek Co. 23 Feb 1912 to Adam (1866-1956) and Dora (Brandt) Bender (1889-

1980) . His grandparents were Henry (1855-1938) and Mary (Russell) Brandt (1871-1922) and Ludvig (1823-1894) and Magdelina (1835-1908) Bender. Walt had 2 brothers and 2 sisters: Adam Jr. (1909-1940), Virgil (m. Lucella Peterson), Bessie (1906-1993) (m. Frankie Barth), and Myrtle (m. Raymond Barth). Walter was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church, Locust, IA. He attended Knoke School Canoe #6, Canoe Twp.

Doris Elvera Peterson was born 2 Sep 1921 at the home farm in Canoe Twp., Winneshiek Co. to John E. (1891- 1981)    and Lenora (Danielson) Peterson (1895-1991). Her grandparents were Einar Peterson (1851-1935) and Ingeborg (Nedahl) Peterson (d. 1957); and Andrew Danielson,(born 1856 in Norway, came to the United States and died in 1915) and Lisa Hagen Danielson (born in Norway in 1857, came to the United States in 1876). Doris had 4 brothers and 2 sisters: Ervin (1916-1988) (m. Lucille Johnson (1921-1957), then married Dorothy Bray); Lucella (m. Virgil Bender); Robert (m. Grace Sivesind); Charles (m. Rose Rosendahl); John Jr. (m. Lorraine Anderson); and Helen (m. Pastor Paul Hougen).

Doris was baptized and confirmed at Hauge Lutheran Church. She attended Turner school Canoe #9 in Canoe Twp. and Decorah High School.

Walter and Doris were married 21 Nov 1939 at the Locust parsonage by Pastor Carl Losen. They lived on the Bender family farm and had one daughter, Beverly Ann,

Walter and Doris purchased the Bender farm from Walter's parents in 1950. They spent their life together working on their farm and raising crops, gardens, dairy cattle, hogs, sheep, chickens and other animals. Even though Walt and Doris worked hard on the farm they found time to enjoy some time together fishing. Walt liked to hunt with his friends. Doris enjoyed spending time baking and decorating wedding cakes, making ceramics, and doing rosemaling, as well as being involved in 4-H, Sunday School and church committees.

In 1984 Walter and Doris retired and bought a home in Decorah. Since their retirement they continue to be involved in the church, do volunteer work and spend time with their growing family and friends, as well as staying active in their hobby...fishing!

Benzing, Dennis and Kristi (Noecker)

(Myrtle Noecker)

Mitchell, Michael, Nicole, Dennis and Kristi Benzing.