Kathryn "Kay" Bender

SUN PRAIRIE—Kathryn “Kay” N. (Griswold) Bender, age 80, was gathered by the angels on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at St. Mary’s Hospital.  She was born on April 4, 1943, the daughter of William I. and Marian (Grunenwald) Griswold.  Kay graduated from Fennimore High School in 1961.  She had a long career with the State of Wisconsin Heath and Social Services Department.

Kay married Frederick “Fred” W. Bender in Boscobel, Wisconsin on May 2, 1964.  They spent the first six years of marriage in Madison.  In April of 1970, they built their house on 142 Tower Dr in Sun Prairie and reside there to this day.

Kay and Fred’s marriage was complete when they adopted five-week-old Boyd Griswold Bender.  Kay’s passion was raising and nurturing Boyd.  She enjoyed supporting Fred’s stock car racing, Boyd’s athletic endeavors in football, basketball, baseball (t-ball through high school), cheerleading in college, and rec softball in adulthood.

Kay’s pride and joy were her three granddaughters, known collectively as “the sweeties.”  She cheered them on through all their athletic adventures and the arts.  Her waffle breakfasts following sleepovers remain legendary to “the sweeties.”

Kay is survived by her husband Fred; son Boyd (Toni) of Madison; granddaughters Halle (senior at UW-Oshkosh), Thea (freshman at UW-Oshkosh), and Drew (sophomore at LaFollette High School); brothers Greg (Lou) of Cary, NC, and Richard (Marilyn) of Platteville.  She is further survived by nieces and nephews Casey Griswold of Chicago, Bailey Griswold of New Orleans, Matt (Shana) Griswold of Madison, Jeff Bender of Fennimore, Janet Bender (Steve Lang) of Eden Prairie, MN, great-grand-nephew Tristen Griswold of Madison; and countless friends and other family.

Visitation will be from 1-3:00 PM on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at Cress Funeral Home SUN PRAIRIE with a memorial service to begin at 3:00 PM. Kay will be brought to her final place of rest in a private service at Rock Church Cemetery in Livingston, Wisconsin at a later date.

Cress Funeral Home-- Sun Prairie

608-837-9054