August 5, 1938 – May 26, 2024
Darrell Gene Bender, 85, of Mobridge, passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at the Mobridge Regional Hospital.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Michael Griffin, Celebrant. Interment took place at Greenwood Cemetery at Mobridge.
Darrell was born August 5, 1938, to Jacob and Minnie Bender in Trail City. He was raised in Trail City at the family ranch, and during the school year he lived in Mobridge with his older siblings.
He met Irene Stiles who moved to Mobridge in 1956 to work as a teller at the bank. They later married and remained married until Irene’s passing in 2018.
Following graduation from high school, Darrell accepted a position with Northwestern Bell Telephone Company and remained employed with the company until his retirement in 1993. He began his career as a lineman in Mobridge, then transferred to Frederick, as an installer so that he could spend more time with his family. In 1966, he transferred back to Mobridge where he worked until being promoted to a position in Pierre. In 1970, he was transferred to Rapid City, to manage an installation team. When an opportunity became available in Mobridge, he accepted it in 1974 and later retired as a regional manager.
Darrell and Irene didn’t wait until their retirement years to travel with friends, and enjoyed trips to Las Vegas and the Denver Stock Shows while in their twenties.
They had three children, Kim, Darren and Lisa, born within the span of five years. The family enjoyed annual summer vacations and frequent trips to visit relatives.
Darrell was an avid sportsman and was happiest when outdoors. At an early age, he bought a boat and enjoyed water skiing and patiently taught his children to ski. He owned both speed and fishing boats in his adult life. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, especially when the family lived in the Black Hills. Darrell looked forward to yearly hunting and fishing seasons.
While still employed with Northwestern Bell, he was elected to the City Council of Mobridge and was Mayor for ten years. Following his local service, he ran for State Senate and served two terms until retiring from public service.
He served for several years on the board of directors for the Sitting Bull Stampede. He was chairman of the board of directors of St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen and president of the South Dakota Municipal League.
Following retirement, he purchased a motor home and he and Irene spent several winters meeting up with friends in Arizona and California. For many years they met in Las Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo.
Irene was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2010 and Darrell was her caregiver at their home until her passing.
Darrell was preceded in death by his wife, Irene; daughter, Lisa Zuleski; sisters Freida Myren, Minnie Ekrem, Beatrice Collins, Evelyn Bastian, Donna Bohl, Bernice Pooley, Viola Lewis, Elaine Lahren and JoAnn Bender; and brothers Bennie, Don, Marlyn, Willard, and Floyd.
Darrell is survived by sons Kim and Darren; granddaughters Jennifer Cornett and Kari (Jordan) Nehls; grandson Carson Zuleski; greatgrandchildren Jackson and Ella Cornett and Laila, Brittyn and Dru Nehls; son-in-law Dick Zuleski; sisters-in-law Clarice Bender, Betta Archambault, Johnelle Opem, and Sherri Imker; and many nieces and nephews.