David was born on July 26, 1965, at Ripon Memorial Hospital to Virgil and the late Jeanne (Jahnke) Bender. He attended Cambria - Friesland and Peace Lutheran schools and graduated from Winnebago Lutheran Academy in Fond du Lac in 1983. He worked for Benderlane Farms and later for 30 years at Wayside Repair.  Dave enjoyed boating with his family, camping with cousins, and helping with endless home projects. He also loved helping neighboring farmers, especially when it included driving air-conditioned tractors. During his final months at home, Dave had an endless flow of visitors and friends stopping by daily to help with meals, care for Dave and hold his hand while his caretakers rested.

David is survived by his father, Virgil Bender, and stepmother, Judy, of Dalton; sisters, Elisabeth (Steven) Billings of Oshkosh, and Victoria Bender and Jill Collier of Appleton; brother, Steven Bender, of Neenah; one niece, Corey (Eli) Hicks of Pendleton, IN, and one great niece, Libby Mae Hicks; stepsisters, Julie (Dave) Sutton of Greenfield and Lisa Zach of Hartford; stepbrothers, Jeff (Robin) Augustynowicz of Beaver Dam and Alan (Nichole) Augustynowicz of Markesan; step-nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Jeanne (Jahnke) Bender; his paternal grandparents, Carl Sr. and Florence (Plagenz) Bender; and his maternal grandparents, Harry and Olga (Plagens) Jahnke.

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Markesan is honored to be serving the family.