BENDER, Dorothy Bender

February 1, 2026

Passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 1, 2026 at Spruce Lodge, Stratford. Dorothy Bender of New Hamburg in her 100th year.

Beloved wife of the late Willis Bender who predeceased her August 27, 1998. Loving mother of Carol (Ron) Roth of New Hamburg, Kathy (Danny) Roth of Stratford and Bob Bender (Alan Small) of Waterloo. Sadly missed by her grandchildren Tammy (Greg) Kaufman, Jeff (Michelle) Roth, Jeremy (Jill) Roth, Brad (Jenny) Roth and great grandchildren Kaylee (Kyle), Mackenzie (Mackenzie), Rylee (Tanner), Kyle (Morgan), Justin, Braedan, Turner, Brooklynn, Max and great great grandchildren Lennon Dorothy, Palmer, Payton and Callahan. Also remembered by Nathan (Nathalie) Small, Luca and Ella. Survived by her brother Wesley ( Eleanor) Gerber, sister-in-law Hilda Roth and brother-in-law Delmer Bender.

Predeceased by her parents Moses & Rachel (Jantzi) Gerber, grandson Jimmy Roth, 4 sisters Alice & Clarence Leis, Marion & Irvin Schwartzentruber, Esther Gerber, Kathleen Gerber and 2 brothers Don & Doreen Gerber, Morris & Joyce Gerber and by many Bender in-laws.

Dorothy loved spending time with her family. She was an avid quilter and had a sharp wit and sense of humour. She was a member of Hillcrest Mennonite Church, New Hamburg.

Relative and friends will be received in the Mark Jutzi Funeral Home 291 Huron St. New Hamburg on Tuesday from 4 – 8 pm. Private interment in the 19th line Cemetery will take place prior to the private family service that will be conducted in the chapel on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Mennonite Central Committee or the Spruce Lodge Blanket Warmer Program would be appreciated by the family. Personal condolences can be shared at www.markjutzifuneralhomes.ca