Lana Bender

Name: Visitation
Start: 07/18/2025 11:00 AM
End: 07/18/2025 01:00 PM
Location: Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home

October 25, 1948 — July 14, 2025

Lana Christine (Bracken) Bender, 76, of Decatur, IL died Monday, July 14, 2025 at 8:06a.m. at Lincolnshire Place, Decatur, IL after a lengthy struggle with Dementia.

Funeral Services will be 1:00 PM, Friday, July 18, 2025 at Brintlinger & Earl Funeral Home with visitation immediately before at 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Burial will in Friends Creek Cemetery, Argenta, IL.

Lana was born October 25, 1948 in Decatur, Illinois to William John and Christina (Meller) Bracken. She graduated from Lakeview High School, Decatur, IL in 1966. Lana married her high school sweetheart Robert “Bob” Dale Bender, II on July 15, 1967. They shared 47 years together.

Lana was baptized and confirmed at Trinity-Concordia Lutheran Church. She was a member of Concordia Lutheran for many years and taught 5 ^th and 6 ^th grade Sunday School. In later years, she and her husband became members of Pilgrim Lutheran Church.

Lana worked for Illinois Bell Telephone Company early in her marriage. She was a homemaker for many years and began decorating cakes out of her home. When her children started getting older, she began working as a cake decorator for Van Zetti’s Bakery and The Party Shop in downtown Decatur. She worked a for many years as a cake decorator. Lana then worked for Decatur Memorial Hospital as call center representative. She retired in 2008 from Illinois Power/Ameren after 17 years as a customer service representative.

Upon her retirement in 2008, Lana opened her cake and dessert business, Lana’s Cake Walk in Decatur, IL. She was an extremely talented cake decorator and enjoyed being a part of her customers celebrations. She loved hearing customers rave over her butter cream icing. Many might not have known through her strength and resilience she was simultaneously working and taking care of her husband at home who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Lana closed her business in 2013 to focus on caring for her husband at home until his death on October 31, 2014.

She became an advocate for Alzheimer’s Disease and gave testimonials to groups about her 15-year journey caring for her husband. She was an advocate and a mentor.

Lana had strong Christian faith. She brought her faith to her family even leading her husband to faith and his baptism. A hand written note in her Bible stated, “Pray this every day! Proverbs 3: 5 & 6” “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thine ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”.

Lana was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. She is survived by her children; Christiana (Bender) Crutchfield of Decatur, IL, Robert D. Bender, III of Yulee, FL, and Ryan Bender and wife Danielle of Illiopolis, IL, grandchildren; Corbyn Bender, Landyn Bender, Rylan Bender and Donnie Crutchfield, III, brother; Phillip Bracken St. Louis, MO, Sister-in-law, Jackie Bender of Willard, MO, Uncle, Don Bracken and wife Marilyn of Mechanicsburg, IL, 3 nieces, 5 nephews, and many cousins in the U.S.A, England and France.

She was proceeded in death by her husband; Bob and brother, Terry Bracken, Sister-in-law, Janice Christie.

A special thank you to Lincolnshire Place Nurses, CNAs, and staff, and Moments Hospice. You cared for our mom as if she was your own family. Thank you all for helping care for Lana.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Lincolnshire Place for resident activities.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lana Bender, please visit our flower store.

Send a Card