Richard Allen Bender

Richard "Richie" Bender, 92, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2025, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Richie was born on June 28, 1933, to Felix and Helen Bender. He was a brother to Felix (Flexie) Jr. Richie met and married the love of his life, Arvilla Winnie, on September 12, 1953. Shortly after, they started a family and had five sons.

Richie's career started as a long-haul lumber driver, owning a lumber yard with his father and brother. Richie and Arvilla, along with Flexie and his wife Mary, started up a real estate company where they built spec homes, apartments, and warehouses. They owned two motels, cattle farm, steakhouse, and a gas station.

Richie had an adventurous spirit. He went skydiving, snorkeling, scuba diving, cross country skiing, four wheeling, had a small plane pilots license, water skied, teaching many generations and driving the boat. Two pastimes which brought him much joy included hunting and motorcycling. Richie hunted all over the world, including Spain, Australia, and Africa. Richie and Arvilla went on several safaris along with friends and family. One of his proudest achievements was getting North American Sheep Slam also known as The Grand Slam Ovis. He also was an avid whitetail deer hunter, which he did with his father, sons, and grandchildren.

Richie and Arvilla loved going on vacation to many different islands, where they enjoyed laying on the beach and Richie would walk for miles. His other favorite pastime was riding his Honda motorcycle. He passed the love of motorcycles on to his sons and grandchildren, where many trips were taken locally and throughout the U.S. Richie rode into his 80's.

Up north at the cottage was also a favorite pastime where so many memories were made around the fire pit. Richie enjoyed the Green Bay Packers and playing solitaire on the computer and going for long walks. He was proud of his sons and grandchildren and went to all their events. His secret to longevity is ice cream, old fashioneds, desserts, applesauce, and putting crushed red pepper flakes sprinkled on everything.

Richie will be sadly missed by his devoted wife of 72 years, Arvilla; his sons, Rick (Dawn), Robin (Amy), Randy (Julie), and Rodney (Jodi); his grandchildren, Jared, Dusty (Magi), Kyle, Chris, Ashlee, Devin (Natalie), Bella (Jesse), Chelsey (Tyler), Dustin (Lindsey), Dennis (Courtney), and Kira; great-grandchildren, Declan, Larkin, Hunter, BraeLynn, Kendall, Walker, Colt, Aubryn, Aria, Emmy, Tabitha, Mason, Hunter and Reese; along with nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by their infant son, Rickie; parents; mother and father in law, Ray and Leona Winnie; brother, Felix; sister-in-law, Mary; brother-in-law, Gail Winnie; brother and sister-in-law, Vince and Judy Richards; sister-in-law, Mary Winnie; nephews, Kirk Bender and Rex Winnie; niece, Suzette Winnie; pet companions, Lady, Teela, Jake, and Nuppy.

The family would like to thank Jaynie, Richie and Arvilla's at-home care provider, who went the extra mile to give them comfort and kindness; the people at Pride TLC who provided him with his needs in his short time there, as well as the staff at Aspirus.

Richie's funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 7, 2025, at St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church, 1351 S. Grand Avenue, Schofield. Pastor Kevin Schnake will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until the time of service at the church. Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Town of Texas, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Marathon County Humane Society.

Ascend Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Weston is assisting the Bender family with arrangements. You may sign the family guestbook at www.ascendweston.org.