Carol E. Bender
Carol Elaine Bender, age 75, of Brandon, SD, went to her heavenly home on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 from Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls SD with burial to follow at Hills of Rest Cemetery in Sioux Falls. Her family will be present to greet friends for visitation on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 also at the funeral home from 5:00 PM-7:00 PM.
Carol Elaine Cooper was born on February 21, 1950 in Winner, South Dakota to Lyle and Thelma (Randall) Cooper. She was raised and received her education in Sioux Falls, SD, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1969. Following high school, Carol continued her education at Stewart’s Beauty School and earned her degree in Cosmetology.
While Carol was in high school, she found the love of her life in Jerry Lynn Bender. The couple were united in marriage on October 17, 1969, while Jerry was home on leave from the United States Air Force. Carol followed Jerry, in his deployments to Rapid City, SD and Omaha NE before returning to Sioux Falls in 1973 and were blessed with three children, DeEtt, Tamara and Scott. The couple made their home West of Brandon, SD in 2001. Carol spent over 47-years working as a hair dresser in the area, retiring in 2016.
Carol was an avid reader of books, an accomplished seamstress (making her girl’s clothing and the occasional Halloween costume for her son-in-law), she also enjoyed touring the country in their camper, watching musicals on TV, fishing with Jerry and above all, spending time with her family. She was a loving wife of nearly 57-years, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend who will be dearly missed.
Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Jerry Bender, Brandon, SD; three children, DeEtt (Michael) Wise, Brandon, SD, Tamara (Dale) Westhoff, Sioux Falls, SD and Scott (April Lambertus) Bender, Brandon, SD; four grandchildren, Cassandra (Ivan) Theisen, MaKaila Wise, Sebastian Westhoff and Jasmine Westhoff; half-siblings, Richard Dodge, Dorothy Dodge, Linda (David) Schaff, Kris (John) Rock, and Steve Cooper; many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Thelma Dodge; her father, Lyle (Muriel) Cooper; one sister, Rachel “Charlene” Peterson; and brother-in-law, Lester Peterson.