Marilyn Joan (Koch) Bender

Marilyn Joan Bender (Koch) found peace on May 1, 2026, age 93 years, after a short battle with lung cancer. 

Marilyn was the beloved wife of the late Joseph R. Bender, mother to Robert O. Bender (Susan), Barbara A. Robbins (John) and Elizabeth J. Omilianowski (Andy), the loving Grandmother of Kyle (Britt) Bender, Breann (Stephen) Summerall, Richard (Jenna) Robbins, Michael (Sara) Robbins, Catherine Winter, and Patrick Winter and proud Great grandmother to 9. 

Marilyn worked a few different jobs but was most proud of her time as a preschool teacher at Teaching Centers. Marilyn loved reading with children and took great joy in volunteering at the Greendale Elementary School, reading with kindergarteners. Marilyn’s refrigerator was covered with thank-you notes from past students who benefited from her reading sessions. 

Marilyn was an avid Packer fan. She never missed a chance to watch the game and wasn’t afraid to share her opinion on how the team played. She loved birds and had numerous bird feeders. She took great joy in watching the birds at her feeders or the bird bath. 

You could always find Marilyn in the kitchen, whether she was cooking or baking.  She took great pride in delivering cookies to family and friends. She was known for baking up to 40 different kinds of cookies during the holidays or making her famous barbecue hamburgers. We will miss those and her famous caramel cashew cookies.

Marilyn was a dedicated dog ‘mom’ to 4 different Schnauzers, all named Jill. Marilyn and Jill enjoyed sitting in the recliner watching a good Hallmark movie. 

In lieu of flowers, please honor Marilyn’s love of dogs by making a donation to your local Humane Society. 

A private family burial will be scheduled at a later date. 

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the caregivers at Renaissance Assisted Living, Rennes Nursing Home and Unity Hospice for all the care, compassion, and support given to Marilyn and her family.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family by visiting www.lyndahl.com

The Lyndahl Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marilyn Joan (Koch) Bender, please visit our floral store.