ENGLEWOOD, FL
Alitza (Alice) Horn Bender was born on 02 August, 1944 to Karl and Klara Horn In Opeln, East Germany. After multiple moves, the Horn family settled in Wittlich, West Germany, on the Mosel River. Alitza had five brothers and four sisters.
In 1964, Alitza met Gary Bender when he was playing guitar in a band of Air Force buddies called The Stereos. In November of that year they were married twice, once in a civil ceremony and once in a Church wedding, which was customary in Germany at the time. Gary survives.
In 1965, Alitza and Gary welcomed a son, Mark, (Karla Keller d.21 June 20) Bender, in 1969, another son came along. Bryan (Grace Zapanta) Bender. Both sons also survive, as do her eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
In 1974 Alitza joined the Cosmopolitan Club, an organization of foreign-born women. She had a
term as Financial Secretary, and one as President. In 1977, Alitza earned her naturalized citizenship. In 1979, Alitza went to Cosmetology school and became a licensed Cosmetologist. She worked in that profession for two years.
In 1984, Alitza and Gary moved to Marion, Indiana. It was in Marion that Alitza took up golf. She became an excellent golfer, playing in leagues for several years, Alitza’s love of golf continued in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she and Gary moved in 1997. It was something she enjoyed until the first of her two battles with cancer, in 2003. Two years later, she fought and defeated cancer again. Gary retired in, and the Benders returned to Columbus in 2006.
A devout Catholic, Alitza attended church regularly until the Pandemic halted church services
In 2014, Alitza and Gary moved to Englewood, Florida. Alitza enjoyed the early part of her time in Florida. Alitza Bender, Daughter, Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, passed in the early morning of 13 August 2020.
She was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws, two brothers, two sisters, and one grandson.
A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, 22 August in Grammer. For questions about time
and place, contact Bryan at nomadsinger@yahoo.com.
