Berna S Bender, age 90, Princeton, died Monday, January 3, 2011, at the Elim Care & Rehab Center, Princeton MN.

Berna Sylvia Danielson was born on May 16, 1920, in Ryegate Montana, daughter of Andrew Sveva Danielson and Olga Mathison Danielson.

Her mother died when Berna was 2. The family moved to Princeton on October 25, 1925, where Berna grew up and was educated, graduating from Princeton High School on June 3, 1938. On June 6, 1938, she started with Northwestern Bell Telephone in Princeton, working until 1942. She enlisted in the WACs on December 23, 1942 and was discharged at Ft Sheridan, IL on October 31, 1945. During her enlistment, Berna worked as a telephone operator at the Los Angeles Port of Embarkation, Wilmington CA and at GHQ Hq AFPAC in Hollandia, New Guinea and Manila, Philippines. She was united in marriage with Gerald C. Bender, Sr., at her brother, Donalds, home in Minneapolis MN on December 6, 1945. Upon returning to Princeton, she worked at Fingerhut for a short time and then returned to Northwestern Bell, until they went dial in December of 1965. She then worked part-time in the telephone business office. She then worked as a teachers assistant at South Elementary, until retiring in 1982. She loved her Crystal Court family, Monday Coffee group and Dining Site friends. In keeping with Bernas continuing quest for knowledge, her body was donated to the U of M Anatomical Bequest Program in Minneapolis. Berna knit, baked "Grandma" cookies and kept up with current events via newspaper and television news. She was dedicated to preserving family history and enjoyed reading and using computer technology to stay in touch with friends and family. She was known for her sense of humor and love of Norwegian jokes. Berna was proud of her Norwegian heritage and made one visit to Norway to meet relatives in 1975. She was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Princeton, a member of the Princeton American Legion Post 216 and a Life Member of the Legion Auxiliary Post 216. She was a charter member of the Women's Military Service, Washington DC.

Berna is survived by her three daughters: Jane (Lonn) Hanson of Princeton, Barbara Bender of Edina, and Lori (John) Windels of St Paul; five grandchildren: Pam Hanson, Ryan Hanson, Paige Russell, Christopher Dale and Andy Windels; sister-in-law: Rosalie Danielson of Richfield; brother-in-law & sister-in-law: Henry (Hank) and Stella Bender of Osakis and many nieces and nephews.

Berna was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew Sveva Danielson and Olga Mathison Danielson; her husband, Gerald C. Bender Sr in 2002; her son, Gerald C Bender Jr 'Butch' in 2000; brother, Donald; son-in-law, Jim Wolverton and nephew, Ron Danielson.

Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery

Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home - Princeton