Leslie (Les) Ray Bender

Leslie (Les) Ray Bender, age 78, of Havre, Montana, passed away peacefully in his home on June 21, 2026, with his wife Karen Bender and grandson Connor Bender by his side.

Les was born on December 3, 1947, in Forsythe, Montana to Jacob Bender and Emily (Olson) Bender. Les was the middle of five children; Dale (Karen), Jerry (Connie), Leslie (Karen), Ronald (Ginger), and Vonda Huffman (Bob).

When Les was only 10 years old, he was run over by a loaded beet truck, not expected to ever walk again. When he was able to finally go home after two months in the hospital, he always remembered one of the first things he wanted to do was to go to church. He knew his Lord and Savior had more for him in life. This is also one of the things that reassured his wife Karent that she was marrying a Christian man.

Growing up, Les helped on the family farm in Forsyth and his father's gas station Glasgow. He eventually learned the trade of meat processing by working in the meat department for Buttery's Grocery in Glasgow, Havre, and Chinook, Montana. Learning this trade led to a side business of processing wild game for more than 40 years. Being the busy man Les was, he also started a side farrier business, trimming and shoeing horses for about 30 years. When Les decided to retire from the farrier business, his legacy was passed down to his son Bill and his grandson Connor.

On April 1, 1967 (April Fool's Day), Les took Karen Kohlman on their first date, and asked her to marry him just two months later, on May 31, 1967. Les and Karen married on June 16, 1968, Father's Day. A few years later, Les started his career with the State of Montana working for the Department of Transportation in Havre and then in Conrad in 1978. In 1989, he was transferred and moved his family back to Havre, working as the Maintenance Supervisor for the Department of Transportation, where he retired in 2007.

Les was a true cowboy, having many passions and hobbies around the cowboy way of life. He camped and fished during the warm months, catching his meals in the river or pond when camping, and he rode horses with his family and helped friends move and brand cattle regularly. Les loved to raise horses and break horses to be ridden and used on farms and ranches. He loved to hunt with his son Bill and his grandsons, take care of his property and his horses, and raise chickens with Karen. Les was also known around Havre for making deer jerky and giving it away to people and businesses around town. Les is really remembered for his passion for wrestling while Bill wrestled in AAU, high school and into college, traveling around Montana and to other states for various wresting tournaments, including a trip for Junior Nationals. Les also loved helping his daughter, Angela, prepare horses for Western Pleasure showing in high school, also traveling around Montana for her shows with their horses.

Les is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Karen; sister Vonda; two sons Scott Billingsly (Suzanne) and Bill Bender; and his daughter Angela Moody (Gene). He is also survived by eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A small service will be held on July 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at 5th Avenue Christian Church in Havre, Montana. Anyone who knew Les is welcome to join his family in celebrating his life and remembering him for the kind and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and cowboy that he was known to be. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit Les' online memorial page to send a card or leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.