Shirley Bendickson, 88

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Funeral services for Shirley L. Bendickson of Albert Lea will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Wayne Halvorson and Vicar Jeff Merseth will officiate. Visitation will be held Friday from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Bonnerup Funeral Service, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Hayward Cemetery.
Mrs. Bendickson died Sunday evening at St John’s Lutheran Home in Albert Lea. She was 88 years of age.
Shirley was born July 7, 1921, in Bruno, the daughter of Fred and Ruth (Nelson) Rupp. She graduated in 1939 from Bruno High School. On Aug. 17, 1960, she was united in marriage to Ingvold A. Bendickson in Mason City, Iowa.
Shirley lived in Walters and Hayward before moving to Albert Lea in 1968. She was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and belonged to the ladies’ aid. Besides being a homemaker, Shirley worked for over 20 years as a nurse’s aide at Naeve Hospital.
Shirley was a member of her neighborhood birthday club and enjoyed sewing, cross stitch, baking and coffee and baked goods with her family and many friends. Her life centered on taking care of people.
Shirley is survived by her children: Dean (Charlene) Anderson of Albert Lea and Helen (Bradley) Bena of Austin; step children: Dean (Sandra) Bendickson of Alden, Jay (Trina) Bendickson of Kiester and Ross (Sandra) Bendickson of Machanow, Ill.; grandchildren: Michelle (Jeff) Lester, Mark (Pam) Godtland, Daniel (Stacey) Anderson, Maria (Rich) Olson and Sarah (Ryan) Lowe; step grandchildren: Chad (Kara) Bendickson, Terry (Kay) Bendickson, JoDell Bendickson, Peter Bendickson, David Bendickson, Christine (Kevin) Wilson and Dustin (Angie) Schewe. There are 11 great- grandchildren, 12 step great-grandchildren, and one great-great- granddaughter. One sister survives, Viola Rynerson of Albert Lea.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter and son-in-law, Dee Ann (Robert) Michaelis; brother-in-law, Alfred Rynerson; and special friend of Viola, Alvin Gaines.