Barbara Bendgen

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     Barbara Jean Bendgen was born on October 12, 1933, in Woodbine, Iowa to Raymond and Nellie (Butler) Leonard. She attended rural school in Harrison County and graduated from the Logan High School in 1952. Barbara moved to Omaha where she went to an airline school to become an airline ticket agent. She moved to Jacksonville, Florida and worked for an airline there where she met her future husband, Richard Bendgen. The couple was united in marriage on June 1, 1957. Richard was in the military, so they made their home in many places and along the way welcomed six children, Robert, Jim, Cheryl, Rick, Joe and Chuck into their family. Barbara spent many years devoted to raising their children. As the kids grew older, she worked various jobs, including at Mutual of Omaha where she retired from.

     Barbara and Richard were members of the St. Anne Catholic Church in Logan, Iowa. One of her greatest passions was quilting and she created beautiful quilts for her loved ones. She especially cherished the moments spent sharing her love for quilts with her sister Carol. Playing cards was another activity that Barbara and Richard enjoyed, especially with Kenneth and Bette. Alongside her many passions, Barbara had a collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia and she was a dedicated family historian. She also found great joy in watching her kids and grandkids participate in various sporting and school activities. But perhaps Barbara's greatest love was simply spending time with her family. She had an innate ability to make others feel cherished and valued through the simple act of talking and catching up.

     Barbara died on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at Azria Health Rose Vista at the age of 90 years and 19 days.

     Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Kenneth Leonard and his wife Bette. She is survived by her husband, Richard of Woodbine; children, Robert (Patti) Bendgen of Waukee, Iowa, Jim (Marcy) Bendgen of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Cheryl Bendgen of Woodbine, Rick (Christy) Bendgen of Hephzibah, Georgia, Joe (Karen) Bendgen of Middleton, Pennsylvania and Chuck (Mary) Bendgen of Boynton Beach, Florida; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Carol (Jim) Brookhouser of Lake Park, Georgia; many nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.

MEMORIAL DONATIONS MAY BE MADE TO: MYRTUE MEDICAL HOSPICE