Remembering mama

 Dear Family:

When I sent out the notice to the Bender cousins, I did not add your names because I figured you already knew about mama.  However, I did not anticipate the kind and loving responses I would get.  So, I am copying and pasting the messages from our cousins with their impressions of mama.

Tappmeyers:

I am so sad.  Gimi and all, your mother was such a special lady and I have so enjoyed my correspondece with her these last few years.  And what a memory!!  She knew everone's name and situation and I have been so impressed with the way she kept up with everyone.  Our prayers are with your family and we would love to hear of any services you plan.  Thank you for the information and our love to you,

Edi and Harold

 

Condolences to all the Hoyer family and all of us as well. Aunt Kathy was one of a kind, and I mean that in the best possible way. I was always proud to have a performing aunt and tell of her accomplishments. Her mind/memory was to be envied. She told many stories on young Cissy which I treasure. We are so fortunate to have parents like that. I pray that we can be a similar blessing to the ones that come after us. The heavenly choir will sound especially good from now on.  Ellen Reynolds

 

Big Kathie was a treasure.  As my trout-fishing father would say, "A keeper."  I have a feeling she is now ripping on the keys in Gloryland.  And maybe talking politics.

Our deepest sympathies to you and the family.

Mark & Linda Tappmeyer

 

Aunt Kathy was such a joy and a legend! What an amazing legacy she has left for the whole family. She was such a truly special and unique lady. And now her voice has been added to the heavenly choir!  Thank you, Jesus, for letting us have Aunt Kathy with us for so long.   Alice Bones

Hammonds:

Dear Gillean,

Our deep condolences to you and your family, and to the entire Bender clan that knew and loved her.

My earliest childhood memories of your mom—on the farm, of course—are of somebody who was always bright, cheerful, easy to laugh, optimistic, and vitally interested in the people around her and in the world in general.

I have no doubt these qualities were a factor in her long and active life, and that they're equally present in her own children. "A life well-lived" only begins to describe Aunt Kathy.

Love,

Don & Linda

 

Gimi (I can’t call you anything else!),

I am so sorry to hear this! She was so smart, so caring, so no nonsense!

Please do let us know about memorial arrangements.

May her memory be a blessing to us all!

Love,

Gail

S. Benders:

Dear Gimi and your family,
Your Mom was a powerhouse and a dynamic example of living the possible. I loved her stories.  She embodied the creativity of music, demonstrated her willingness to love life with a full heart and keep track of us all, including my granddaughter Lilly.

I am grateful for the recent Zoom session for her birthday. I have a fresh memory of her wit and determination, as well as
her handwritten cards at Christmas.

Love to you all,
Cindy (Cinny) Bender Roundtree

PS I will forward your letter to my kids. 

Dear Gillean/Gimi and family,

I would like to join Gail in thanking you for letting us know. I have long admired your mother for seemingly countless reasons and very grateful for our recent Zoom call, where we were able to connect with her and many of the family members on this list. I am relieved that she passed peacefully and grateful to have known her. 

Love

Holly

Dear Gimi:

Thank you for your email yesterday. We all morn the loss of your Mother and my beloved sister. Jeff had called me yesterday with the news.

I waited until today to respond to your email so that I could first talk to my family. We talked about your Mother’s wonderful life and her influence on the rest of us. She had this wonderful memory of all of our families and her interest in all of us was very inspiring. 

The example that I use in this regard was her ability to name each of sister Marian's 22 great grandkids including their middle names. Now that was remarkable. This example was only one of the many feats of memory and interest in family that I could name.

She was also very current on world events and had some very strong opinions about our various leaders. Also impressive was her faith and interest and support of her church.

My memories also go back to our growing up days and the fun times we had in between the hard work involved keeping things operating on the farm. Your Mother never really liked living on the farm but accepted her role in the family without complaining.

I could go on and on but will finish with my memories of falling asleep at night with your Mother practicing on the piano.  My bedroom was in the room next to the piano and my ears were filled with Bach, Beethoven and Mozart as I dozed off to sleep. To this day these are my favorites compared to modern composers.

My condolences to my Hoyer nieces and nephew and their spouses. You had a wonderful Mother and it is now time to celebrate her life.

Love to all of you.

Uncle Pete

P.S. Kathie always claimed that she was the one that gave me the nickname, Pete. Like many other things she was undoubtedly correct.

 

My heartfelt sympathies to the Hoyer family.  What an incredible lady.  Her memories of the farm and the people are especially meaningful to me living on the original family property.  i enjoyed corresponding with her and visiting with her on her 100th birthday.  we are all remembering and celebrating her life.  much love to all, john and diane