BENDEL, Ann

Norvel Owens Mortuary, Flagstaff, Arizona Ann Bendel (July 23, 1936 - September 12, 2015) Ann Bendel, a longtime resident of Flagstaff, passed away on Saturday, September 12th. She was 79. Ann was born in La Crosse, WI in 1936. She attended Wisconsin State College, where she graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in 1958. She received her Masters in Education from NAU. She married her high school sweetheart, Don, on a snowy December day in 1956 (it was 30 below!). Together they had three wonderful children. She was able to travel all over the world with her family, but was happiest being home, cooking for everyone. In 1970, Ann and her family moved to Flagstaff. She started teaching in the Flagstaff School District in 1976, and from 1981 worked at Sechrist Elementary School teaching first grade until her retirement in 1998. Ann fed hungry NAU ceramic students delicious food for 30 years and was a longtime member of Peace Lutheran Church. Ann is survived by her husband, Don; her brother, Jim Lienlokken of Illinois; three children: Mara Anderson, Jon Bendel, and Sara (Keith) Ryan; six grandchildren: Ian, Megan, and Erinn Anderson, and Molly, Alice, and Rachel Rose Ryan; and one great grandson, Søren. Ann will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Memorial services will be held Saturday, September 19th, at 10:30am at Peace Lutheran Church.