Helen Bender of Brooks, beloved wife of the late Jacob (Jake) Bender, passed away peacefully in Brooks on Monday, November 24th, 2025, at the age of 90 years. Helen was born on June 30th, 1935, in Millicent Flats, Alberta, to John Merchak and Elizabeth (Kiss) Merchak. Helen and her sister Liz were raised in Millicent, where they attended school. Helen later worked as a "Hired Girl" for Ella Beasley, where she met the love of her life, Jacob, who was also working for Lee and Ella Beasley. They were married on November 6th, 1954, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Brooks, now known as St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. They purchased farmland in the One Tree area and farmed there for 20 years. In 1978, they said goodbye to all their close friends and neighbour's in the Millicent, Patricia and One Tree area as they had purchased land in Spondin, (northeast of Hanna), where they fostered many more lifelong relationships, while raising cattle and putting up hay. After Jake's passing in 2007, Helen chose to move to Brooks to be closer to her niece Barbara Wutzke, where she built a home and lived until recently. She was also predeceased her sister Elizabeth Blanchard and her parents. Helen will be remembered by her dearest friends and her many nieces and nephews for her warmth, kindness, and gentle strength. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of her family and friends, who will miss her dearly. Funeral Mass will be Celebrated on Monday, December 22nd at 11:00 AM from St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. Rev. Eli Canete Celebrant.

Cremation is entrusted to and conducted at

Smith Funeral Home Ltd., Brooks