Michael Phillip Bendel
Saturday, June 1, 1946
Date of Death:
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Age:
66 years old
Visitation
Date: Monday June 18, 2012
Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Tuesday June 19, 2012
Time: 9:30 am
Location: St. Pius X Catholic Church [ view map ]
Funeral Mass
Date: Tuesday June 19, 2012
Time: 10:30 am
Location: St. Pius X Catholic Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Calvary Cemetery [ view map ]
Saturday, June 1, 1946
Date of Death:
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Age:
66 years old
Saturday, June 1, 1946
Date of Death:
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Age:
66 years old
Michael Phillip Bendel
Michael Phillip Bendel age 66, of Rochester, passed away on June 14, 2012.
Mike was born on June 1, 1946 in Minneapolis, MN. He grew up in the Minneapolis area, the son of Markus and Dorothy Bendel and is the oldest of 4 children including Mark, Mitch and Marty. He graduated from De LaSalle High School in 1964, and then received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics from St. Mary’s University in Winona, MN in 1968.
He married Claudia Marion, of Hettinger, ND on May 25, 1968. Mike attended programming school through IBM in Kingston, NY, after which time he and Claudia moved to Rochester, MN near the end of 1968. He continued to work for IBM the next 34 years as a computer programmer and then through the ranks of management, from which he retired.
Mike and Claudia had four children, Michael, David, Tom, and Kimberly. He was his kids biggest fan and made many opportunities (corrective and otherwise!) available, whether he was attending or helping out at events or just anytime. Mike enjoyed playing cards with his 500 club, traveling with friends and family all over the world, bowling, gardening, coin and stamp collecting, volunteering in a variety of roles at St. Pius Catholic Church, being part of Teams of our Lady and Knights of Columbus. He was not a “meetings” kind of person, but instead enjoyed the “getting out there and helping” group of people. Mike was well known for his thrift and craftiness. It was rare for him to call upon an expert to do almost anything around the house or with the family cars. He handily managed 99% of whatever came his way, and had the project remnants to prove it!
Mike made his presence known through quiet, humble, and thoughtful participation. Whether it was making creative and amazing themed cakes for whoever asked, riddle laden adventure challenges for the card club team or Easter egg hunts for the kids, he really appreciated the moment and helped you do the same.
He was diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Dementia (a type of Alzheimer’s) in 2003. It was an awful disease that slowly robbed him of life and just did not seem fair given all the good he had done and been for those around him. Ultimately it claimed his life on this Earth in a peaceful way in his sleep, as he travels on to greater glory in Christ.
Mike is survived by his wife of 44 years, Claudia, two sons Mike (Karen) and David, daughter Kim (Aaron), grandchildren Matthew, Daniel, Aiden and Peyton, two brothers, Mitch and Marty Bendel, sister-in-law Sharon Bendel, nephew Mark and niece Jenna Bendel.
Mike was preceded in death by his son Tom, brother Mark, and parents Mark and Dorothy.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Monday June 18th, 2012 at the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home (1105 12th Street SE Rochester, MN 55904) and one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. The Funeral Mass for Mike will be held at 10:30am Tuesday, June 19th, 2012 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, with Rev. Paul Nelson officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Rochester, MN.
The family would like to thank Armin and Deanne Schrimpf at Rehoboth Adult and Elderly Care, as well as the doctors who assisted in his care, especially Dr. Thomas Jaeger, who was Mike’s primary doctor from the Mayo Clinic.
Please direct any memorials to the Alzheimer’s Foundation at the Mayo Clinic or the Lourdes High School Foundation.
Condolences
The family of Michael Phillip Bendel has received the following condolences.
I just received the notice of Mike's passing. I had Mike as my manager 3 times. Twice as my first line, and once as my second line. He was a manager who cared about his people, who put his people before his own career. He had a great sense of humor. When I had recently gotten married, he had a department party and gave me a set of dinnerware - paper plates! He was always so encouraging to me - one of the best managers I ever had. I will not forget him.
My deepest condolences,
Beth Hagemeister
Claudia, our deepest sympathy in the loss of your husband Michael. We will keep him and your family in our prayers. Jan and Clarence Speltz, Teams 30
Mike was one of the best managers I had at IBM. He tried to be fair to both IBM and the employee. Mike was unique. My condolences to the family. Ted Saxman
Mike's family,
I worked for Mike at IBM. He was both a good man and a good manager. I enjoyed working for him very much. In fact, he was probably one of my favorite managers. He was very good at helping where he needed to, but also knew when to stand out of the way. He also had grace and humor and generally liked the job and the people he worked with. And we liked him. May he rest in peace and continue to watch his families' accomplishments from heaven.
Marion Pitts
Claudia and family,
I enjoyed working for and with Mike at IBM. He was always easy to talk to and was always helpful. He will be missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time of loss.
Claudia, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. We always enjoyed Mike's company as we did our jobs as Eucharistic Ministers at St. Pius. We are so sorry for your loss. Steve and Vanessa Holtan
Mike -
your dad is now in a place where he is fully aware of all the loving acts and prayers made on his behalf over the past years. He has been released from the limits of this world, and his spirit is free again. I expect he is watching down with pride at what he sees.
With love.
Brian, Kathleen, Maria, Christopher
So very sorry to about Mike. We are thinking about you all and holding you in our thoughts and prayers. Thank heavens we have a loving Father in heaven.
Tom and Jackie Reinke (Doug Brettin's sister)
To the family of Mike Bendel,
I knew Mike as a second line manager at IBM. He was a very sharp and compassionate man. He always took a keen interest in the technical endeavors of those in his area. He enjoyed talking about 3270 data streams as well as track and field. many times in the same conversation. He was a very outgoing and well-rounded man.
Sincerely,
Jim and Jo Coon
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time. Kim, I remember meeting your dad at your beautiful wedding. What a wonderful soul he was - full of life and a smile that was contagious. Hugs to you my friend and know that we are with you in spirit.
Dear Claudia, Mike, David, and Kim,
Your family has been such long time friends with ours... I am so very sorry. I remember how you helped at the brunch the day following our wedding. Mike did all the dishes!! He handed me a towel, grinned, and asked me to help him dry. And the message he gave us on the video recording at our wedding... He said "Just remember to always be happy." I also remember you both sitting at the stands with my folks, watching all those track meets.
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Sarah Parry
Claudia and family,
May the love and caring of friends give you the comfort and the love of God give you peace.
I remember so many times having Michael come to visit Dr. Jaeger in the diagnosis and beginning stages of his disease. I was at that time one and one with Dr. Jaeger as his nurse. Now that the terrible disease has taken him from you cherish all the memories that was given in those 44 years!!!!!!!!!!
Linda Stenzel LPN
Claudia, I was so sorry to hear of Mike's death. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Nancy Silvernail
Mike was always there at Lourdes track meets. I have such fond memories of sitting next to Mike watching Kim and Sarah. Claudia, we extend our entire family's sympathies to all of you. What a blessing life is, and what a blessing Mike was to so many.
Claudia and family,we are so sorry for your loss. You and yours are in our prayers. Dennis and Sheri