Cletus L. Bender was born on November 26, 1929 to George and Lydia (Rediger) Bender in rural Seward County and passed away on September 15, 2012 in Seward at the age of 82 years, 9 months and 20 days. Cletus was baptized on January 12, 1930 at St. John Lutheran Church. He attended rural school until going to high school in Seward. He graduated in the class of 1947. He worked at Protective Fire and Casualty while in high school, upon graduation he continued to work for the company. Cletus joined the United States Air Force in 1947 during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in August of 1951. After returning he continued to work at Protective Fire and Casualty. He helped to install their IBM machines in the basement of the building that is now Seward Fitness Center. He served as Secretary/Treasurer of the company until the company was sold, he then continued with United Fire and Casualty. He retired after 50 years of service in 2001. Cletus loved the country life during this time he farmed and raised cow/calf herd. Among other livestock, with his brother Alvin. He spent his vacations hunting deer with the Colburn Raiders at the ranch of George James in Crawford, NE; (which is now a Nebraska Park Reserve). On February 17, 1962, he married Martha Hickerson of Milford. to this union 3 sons were born, Calvin, Christopher and Corey. Cletus enjoyed working with the boys, sharing his love of life, farming, raising cattle and hunting. Cletus was a member of the United Methodist Church of Seward for 50 years, served as the president of the Seward Rotary Club, He was a member of the 4-H council. He enjoyed the Thanksgiving Eve at the Goehner Stag, he enjoyed dancing and roller skating. Cletus is survived by his wife, Martha of Seward, NE; three sons, Calvin of Kansas City, MO; Chris of Taylor, NE; and Corey and his wife Kelli and grandson Braden of Lexington, NE; three sisters, Donna McMillen of Seward, NE; Retha (Lloyd) Dowding of Bellevue, NE; Elaine (Dr. Larry) Lamberty of Bellevue, NE; three brothers, Marlin "Herm" Bender, Alvin Bender and Dennis (Debra) Bender all of Seward, NE; many nieces, nephews and great-greats and the retirees-coffee club. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, step mother, Florence Bender; brother, Wilbur Bender; sister-in-law, Miriam Bender; brother-in-law, Ernest McMillen; niece, Kamela Lamberty. To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers and memories of life shared with Cletus. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cletus Bender family for a later designation.