Obituary of Bret David Bender

Bret D. Bender, 30, of 2433 Nevada Avenue, Iowa City died unexpectedly Saturday, June 9, 2007, at his home. A celebration of Bret’s life will take place at 6pm Thursday, June 14, 2007, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. There will be visitation from 4-6pm 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 @www.gayandciha.com. Bret David Bender was born April 20, 1977 in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, the son of William L. Bender and Joann (Harger) Bender. In 1978, his mother, brother and sisters moved to Iowa City where he has resided since. He graduated from CEC High School in 1995. He was employed as a dispatcher for Marco Cab Company 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 Hospital 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, MN; sisters, Sarah and Kathleen Bender of Iowa City; his father and step-mother, William and Heidi Bender of Viroque, WI; and his half-siblings John Buck and Logan and Tara Bender; nephew, Alexander Baker-Bender; grandfather, Harold Harger of St. Louis, MO; 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 Cremation service is caring for Bret’s family and his services.