Charles Clinton Bender, age 91, of Elgin, ND, passed away on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at the Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin.

Funeral services for Charles will be held at 10:30 a.m. MT on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Elgin, ND, with Pastor Mike Harrison officiating.

Burial with military honors will take place at 10:00 a.m. CT on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery south of Mandan, ND.

Charles was born on March 27, 1932, to George and Clara (Hartman) Bender in New England, ND.  He attended school and graduated from New England High School.  While in school he was active in sports; he especially loved playing basketball.  Following his schooling he served in the US Army.

Charles was united in marriage to Ida Zeh on September 15, 1963.  To this union two sons were born, Perry and Clinton.

He worked various jobs in Elgin.  Eventually he retired as the custodian at the Elgin School.  He loved fishing, woodworking, golfing and watching westerns on TV.  He especially enjoyed his boys' sports activities – football and basketball.  He also enjoyed the grandkids' activities.

Charles was an avid woodworker, crafting many items on his lathe, many of which became gifts for the grandchildren.  He enjoyed the morning coffee hour to catch up on and sometimes add to the city gossip.

Charles is survived by his wife, Ida; sons, Perry (Annette) Bender and Clinton (Sandy) Bender; grandchildren, Brooklyn and Matthew Barron, McKinley Bender, Alyssa Bender, Logan Bender and Shane Bender; great-grandchildren, Dawson and Declan Barron; and two nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and five brothers.