Steve Otto Bender

Steve Otto Bender, 70, of Dakota Dunes, SD passed away Monday, August 29, 2022 at a local hospital.

Services will be held at 5:00 P.M. Saturday, September 3, 2022 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Visitation with the family will be from 3:30-5:00 P.M at the funeral home. Burial will be at the South Dakota National Cemetery in Sioux Falls. Online condolences may be given at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Steve was born May 14, 1952 in Bismarck, North Dakota, the son of Henry and Ethel (Reinke) Bender. He attended McLaughlin High School in McLaughlin, SD and graduated from Lemmon High School in Lemmon, SD. Steve enlisted in the United States Navy and served from 1971 until being honorably discharged in 1974. He attended Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, SD where he met Denise Stein. The couple married in Watertown and to this union, one daughter was born.

Steve worked in the trucking industry and then the construction business most of his life with the last 7 years in the housekeeping services for the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. He was very proud of his time with the service and VA.  After retirement, he moved to Dakota Dunes to be closer to his daughter and grandchildren. His favorite thing to do was attend his beloved grandchildren's events and activities. If you couldn't find Steve cheering them on, you would find him at Two Rivers Golf Course either playing with friends or league as he was an avid golfer.

Survivors include his daughter Heather (Dan) Nelson of Dakota Dunes, SD; grandchildren: Geoffrey Nelson, Alexzandra Nelson, and Samantha Nelson; siblings: Penny (Larry) Alexander, Connie (Terry) Richardson, Rita (Ron) Peterson, Dale Bender, Vicki Bender, and Dwight “Bud” Bender; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew.