Veronica M. Bender, 96, of Dubuque, died peacefully Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 3, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church with Rev. Mark Ressler officiating. A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., Saturday at the church. Private entombment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 JFK Road, is entrusted with arrangements.

Veronica was born on August 25, 1928, in South Dakota, the daughter of John and Margaret Kirchgesler. She was the 10th of 11 children and grew up on a farm near Aberdeen, South Dakota. In 1945 her family moved to Aberdeen, and she started her lifelong career in the grocery business. It is there she met Jake Bender, whom she married in 1947. After several moves in South Dakota and giving birth to six children, she and Jake moved to Dubuque, Iowa in 1963. At that time they opened Randall’s Foods until Jake retired.

She was an active member of St. Joseph the Worker Church since 1963. She served on the first parish council, working with Msgr. Martin and Bishop Dunn. She enjoyed gardening, sewing and card playing. A true lover of travel, she visited many countries. Some of her happiest times were spent taking her family on vacation cruises. Veronica was affectionately known as “Grandma B” by her 38 grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great- grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Linda (Bob) Burke, Judy McCarthy, Shirley (Craig) Koppes, Mary Fury, Randy (Marta) Bender, and Marty Bender; 14 grandchildren; and 24 great- grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jake; parents; 4 sisters; 6 brothers; and son-in-law, Dennis McCarthy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Hospice of Dubuque or St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church.