A Mass of Christian Burial for Darrell G. Bender, 85 of Mobridge, SD will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Michael Griffin, Celebrant. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 30 beginning at 5:00 PM with a Parish Prayer Service at 7:00 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mobridge. Interment will take place at Greenwood Cemetery, Mobridge. Darrell passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at the Mobridge Regional Hospital.

Darrell was born August 5, 1938, to Jacob and Minnie Bender in Trail City, South Dakota. He was raised both in Trail City at the family ranch, and during the school year he lived in Mobridge with his older siblings.

He met Irene Stiles who moved to Mobridge in 1956 to work as a teller at the bank. They later married and remained married until Irene’s passing in 2018.

Following graduation from high school, he accepted a position with North Western Bell Telephone Company and remained employed with the company until his retirement in 1993. He began his career as a lineman in Mobridge, then transferred to Frederick, South Dakota as an installer so that he could spend more time with his family. In 1966, he transferred back to Mobridge where he worked until being promoted to a position in Pierre, South Dakota. In 1970, he was transferred to Rapid City, South Dakota to manage an installation team. When an opportunity became available in Mobridge, he accepted it in 1974 and later retired as a regional manager.

Darrell and Irene didn’t wait until their retirement years to travel with friends and enjoyed trips to Las Vegas and the Denver Stock Shows while in their twenties. They had three children, Kim, Darren and Lisa, born within the span of five years and the family enjoyed annual summer vacations and frequent trips to visit relatives.

He was an avid sportsman and was happiest when outdoors. At an early age, he bought a boat and enjoyed water skiing and patiently taught his children to also ski. He owned both speed and fishing boats his adult life. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, especially when the family lived in the Black Hills. Darrell looked forward to yearly hunting and fishing seasons.

While still employed with North Western Bell, he ran and was elected to the City Council of Mobridge and later Mayor for ten years. Following his local service, he ran for State Senate and served for two more terms until deciding to retire from public service. He served for several years on the board of directors for Sitting Bull Stampede and also Chairman of the Board of Directors of St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, South Dakota and President of the South Dakota Municipal League. Following retirement, he purchased a motor home and he and Irene spent several winters meeting up with other friends in Arizona and California. For many years he, Irene and friends met in Las Vegas for the National Rodeo Finals.

Irene was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2010 and Darrell became her caregiver at their home until her passing. In 2013, Darrell and the entire family were devastated when Lisa died.

Darrell was preceded in death by his wife, Irene; daughter, Lisa Zuleski, siblings; Freida Myren, Minnie Ekrem, Beatrice Collins, Evelyn Bastian, Donna Bohl, Viola Lewis, Elaine Lahren, JoAnn Bender; brothers; Bennie, Don, Marlyn, Williard, Phillip.

Darrell is survived by sons, Kim and Darren; granddaughters, Jennifer Cornett and Kari (Jordan) Nehls, grandson, Carson Zuleski; great grandchildren; Jackson and Ella Cornett and Laila, Brittyn and Dru Nehls, son-in-law, Dick Zuleski. Also surviving are sisters-in-law; Clarice Bender, Betta Archambault, Johnelle Opem, Sherri Imker and many nieces, nephews also survive Darrell.

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