Carolyn Bender, of Antigo, died Saturday, April 9, 2016 at her home under the care of her family and LeRoyer Hospice after a 24 year battle with cancer. She was 51 years old. She was born on March 23, 1965 in Green Bay, a daughter of Robert and Carol (Kmecheck) Duffeck of Townsend. She married Robert "Rob" Bender on December 29, 2012 at Waubee Lodge in Lakewood.
Carolyn was a registered nurse and worked 16 years in the obstetrics unit of Aspirus Langlade Hospital.
She served as president of the Lakewood-Townsend Ambulance Service while serving as an EMT. She was certified as a Red Cross CPR Trainer and was a leader for Women on Snow at Waubee Lodge, a fund raiser for the community.
She loved to travel, camp, hunt and fish. She enjoyed being outdoors and the Green Bay Packers.
Survivors include her husband, Rob; two sons, Jameson and Jonathon Smits both of Antigo; granddaughter, Avery Smits; her parents, Robert and Carol Duffeck; two step-sons, R. Brandon Bender and Richard Frisch both of Antigo; a step-daughter, Kattie (Brad) Conant of Antigo; eight step-grandchildren; two sisters, Colleen (James) Crawford of Kent, WA, Connie (Thomas) Chastine of Hampton, GA; brother, Charles (Barbara) Duffeck of Neenah.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, James L. Smits.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Bradley Funeral Home with Rev. Wes Jedras officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the funeral home.
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Antigo, WI 54409
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Antigo, WI 54409
Carolyn you will be missed by all that know and love you I will really miss your sense of humor and laugh
Our sympathies to her entire family during this most difficult time. She meant the world to our entire family from the time we met her. Her generosity, giving nature and spirit will certainly live on through ALL those she made contact with. Truly a gift from God! Especially thinking of Rob, Jimmy & Jonathon as well as her parents and immediate family as we try to understand why she was taken so soon and had to endure SO much. Love to all,
This is what I love the most. I love you ma.
Deepest condolences Jimmy,So very sorry for your loss.Katie had told me what a lovely lady you Mom was.All the best to you & your family.
To my family reunion partner in crime, I will miss you dearly! Your spirit will always be with us all as we gather together! Something tells me some how, some way you will make your presence know to all of us! You are truly what strong women are made of. You never stopped living life to the fullest! I will toast to you each time I have a glass of lemonade, because in your life your were given many lemons, but you made lemonade and you savored every good moment! Rest pain free and peacefully knowing you were dearly loved by many! Love, Susie
Oh that is so sad..... Carolyn was always so nice to me. So sad how God sent me a friend in school but I wanted to be accepted in the "in" group, the "popular group" but does that really matter in the big picture .......... oh how I pray I could teach young people those lessons
Rest in Peace Carolyn and I'm sorry I thought I was better than you. Sad how you just wanted friends and to be accepted as bad as I did .... God gained a beautiful angel ðŸ'•
My thoughts and prayers to the loved ones you left behind !
My deepest condolences to her husband Rob who provided her with the care of a seasoned nurse, under her direction'; for an incredibly long and stressful year and up through the final weeks that took him and her dear sister Colleen to the breaking point. To Jimmy, Johnathan and Avery you are her legacy. You never have to be perfect just be the best selves that you can be. Your young lives have been marked by the tragedy of unthinkable loss. Just like her there is nothing you can not survive or overcome. Let her living legacy's shine.
Door county trip. She loved to talk about this trip. Ill always treasure the time we spent on our adventures and the unique bond we shared. Her family and friends will forever be saddened by her loss, but uplifted by the gifts of her giving, adventurous and joyful heart,
My Prayers go out to Carolyn's Family and her many friends and co worker's in the EMS field. I met Carolyn at the EMS chiefs meetings, she was a great EMT and you could see that she really cared for her Patient's and wanted to give them the best care she could. She will be missed by many. may God Bless her Family.
I met Carolyn when she was president of LTCAS I was hired as a driver she ta;lked me into becoming an EMT that I enjoy very much. My condolenses to the family They are in my prayers.
Dan and I send prayers to the family!! Carolyn was certainly a inspiration!! I had the pleasure of working with her for almost 8 yes. In the Antigo Birthing center!! Taught me many things and was also a huge part of my grandson's delivery. Heaven has truely received another angel. God bless!! You will be missed!! Love Dan and Berta Grisius!!
Dear Connie and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. Love you cuz.
Beautiful lady through and through. Always giving all you had to everything and every one you touched. Your laugh, your smile, and you yourself will be greatly missed by so many. Now you will have only sunny days.
Our deepest sympathy to the family, Galen thought so highly of Carolyn. Her laugh was infectious. She was dedicated to her job and will be missed. May you rest in peace.
I loved how vivacious she was, particularly when talking about her kids. She was so full of love, and was dedicated to the little monsters. I know that the boys' brilliance gave her a LOT to keep her busy, but I also know that she loved them more than anything. I can't quite picture the world without her in it, but I'm pretty sure I'll see her later. Meanwhile, I'll remember the bright light that was Carolyn on earth.
I will always remember Carolyn she got me started with the ambulance service and will never forget her for that. She will deeply missed by us all. My condolences go out to her family.
She had a wonderful hardy laugh, had the privilege of hearing it many times 😊 she was so strong.....Thinking of the family, especially Jimmy and Johnathan
sorry for your loss rip with love
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This video was taken in Door County. Wish the camera was on her more. Blame it on the wine.
Carolyn had many talents. This video was taken just before the Canadian equivalent of the DNR heard her boasting and we got busted for alcohol in the boat. How is this possible in a lake the siz
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