Kenneth Carl "Ken" Bender, 90, passed away Aug. 5, 2026, after a life defined by family, hard work, friendship and adventure.
Born Oct. 21, 1935, on his family's farm southwest of Seward, Ken was the son of Carl John and Lana Helen Bender. He graduated from Seward High School in 1953 and later served in the Nebraska Army National Guard, attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class and working as an Administrative Supply Technician at the Seward Armory.
Ken married Sandra “Sandy” Marie Lueth on June 6, 1959, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Seward, beginning a marriage that lasted more than 67 years. Together they raised two sons, Tony and Rick.
A lifelong horseman, Ken and his family raised purebred Arabian horses on their acreage near Blair. He was happiest around his horses and was rarely seen at home without his cowboy hat and boots.
Ken enjoyed a distinguished 34-year career with United Airlines in Lincoln, Omaha and Los Angeles. Among his honors were United's West Region Safety First Award in 1995 and Los Angeles Customer Service Employee of the Year in 1996. He was also selected to train at Boeing's Everett facility on the new Boeing 777 before helping introduce the aircraft at LAX.
After retirement and several moves between California and Nebraska, Ken and Sandy settled in California in 2006. For the next 20 years, Ken enjoyed an active retirement filled with golf, exercise and many treasured friendships within their community.
Ken will be remembered as charismatic, positive, kind and hardworking, a man of solid character who genuinely enjoyed people and was loved by those who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Sandy; sons Tony (Kathy) and Rick (Carri); grandchildren, Derek (Laura), Brett (Nicky), Dr. Cole Bender (Alex), and Christian (Raena); great-grandchildren, Krew, Ellory, Lacey and Piper; and sister Violet Faye "Vi" Bender Huning.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl John and Lana Helen Bender; and sister, Wilma Jean Bender “Jeannie” Kehler.
Ken donated his body to the Research for Life Foundation.
Family and friends gathered on Sunday, Oct. 18, for what the family affectionately described as Ken's birthday party and going-away party, celebrating a life of 90 years very well lived.
