Mary McIntyre (McIntyre) Bender

Mary Bender of Minnetonka, Minnesota, formerly of Elk River, passed away on Friday, January 24, 2025 at her home after a short, but intense battle with cancer.

Mary was born on May 15, 1946 in Minneapolis to Harold “Hal” and Jeanette McIntyre. She was a graduate of Southwest High School. She attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she graduated in 1968 with a degree in Education.

White at Drake, she met Thomas Bender. She and Tom married on September 2, 1966 and remained together throughout Mary’s life. Together they raised three daughters, Julie, Liz and Kate all who attended Elk River schools through their graduations. Mary was the steady foundation and support for her family and will be dearly missed.

While living in Elk River for 25 years, Mary was active in the community. She was a librarian, co-owner TC III, a woman’s apparel store, and serving as the first Victim’s Advocate for the Sherburne County Attorney’s Office. She also was an active member of the Union Congregational Church for 25 years. After retirement, Tom and Mary lived in different areas but always considered Elk River as their home.

Mary’s legacy is carried on by her husband, Tom Bender of Minnetonka; her daughters, Julie (Allan) Wallace of Elk River, Elizabeth (Kevin) Rohloff of Ankeny, Iowa and Kate Bender of Minneapolis; her five grandchildren, Thomas Wallace, Amy Wallace, Jay Wallace, McIntyre Rohloff and Addison Rohloff; her sister, Ann Porth of Eden Prairie; and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Scott McIntyre.

A private gathering of family will take place at a later time. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, please make a donation to the American Cancer Society.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Dare’s Funeral Home of Elk River, MN. 763-441-1212. www.daresfuneralhome.com.

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