Carol Marie Bender of Sussex, Wisconsin, died in Christ on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at the age of 96.

Carol was born Marie Rose Warfel on a tenant farm in Hebron, Illinois, on November 17, 1929, to Henry and Anna (nee Bollwahn) Warfel. She was the eighth of ten children. Following her mother’s tragic passing in 1935, Carol and her siblings entered the Lutheran Orphan Home in Addison, Illinois. In 1938, she was adopted by Hubert and Elsie Arthur of Chicago, Illinois, who changed her name to Carol Marie. The following year, the Arthurs adopted June Nagel, and the two girls became the “Arthur Sisters,” famously singing Gospel music on WLS Radio on Sunday mornings.

 This began a lifelong devotion to music. Carol sang under the direction of Gerhard Schroth at Luther Institute in Chicago, where she graduated high school in 1947. Throughout her life, her gift of song blessed the choirs of St. Peter Lutheran Church (Arlington Heights, IL), Zion Lutheran Church (McHenry, IL), and Peace Lutheran Church (Sussex, WI). She was a frequent wedding soloist, sang with the McHenry Choral Club in the 1970s, and performed with the Festival Chorus of Concordia College in the 1980s. She especially loved singing Handel’s Messiah in community choruses.

 After working as a secretary and waitress, Carol began a long career as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Arlington Heights and Crystal Lake, Illinois. Her selfless service earned her numerous awards and commendations from city officials and patrons alike. After retiring in 1998, she moved from McHenry, Illinois, to Sussex, Wisconsin, where she managed Phase 1 of the Clover Downs Apartments for several years.

 Carol married Arthur Garbisch in 1949, and they were blessed with four children: Paul, Linda, Richard, and Peter. In 1964, she married Walter Bender, and they were blessed with her fifth child, Heide.

 Above all else, her children and her faith in Jesus mattered most to Carol. To her children, she left these words: “My most heartfelt wish is to share the love I have for all you and especially to share the love of my Lord Jesus Christ who died for you and me, worshiping regularly, hearing His Word of salvation, so we will all meet again in His mansion prepared for all who believe. – All my love, Mom”

 Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Anna Warfel; her adoptive parents, Hubert and Elsie Arthur; her husbands, Arthur Garbisch and Walter Bender; eight of her siblings; and one grandchild.

 She is survived by her children, Paul Garmisch, Linda (Steve) Kelsall, Richard (Laurie) Bender, Rev. Peter (Beth) Bender, and Heide (Erwin) Cabrera; her sisters, Grace Weith and June Schubkegel; 16 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

 Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Peace Lutheran Church (W240 N6145 Maple Avenue, Sussex, Wisconsin). Visitation will take place at the church from 10:00 AM until 11:45 AM followed by the service at 12:00 PM. Interment will follow on Monday, June 15, 2026, at Alden Cemetery in Alden, Illinois. The funeral service is being livestreamed at: www.youtube.com/c/PeaceLutheranChurchAcademySussexWI

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Carol’s memory to Peace Lutheran Church.