Kay D. Bendoski

Kay D. Bendoski, 61, of Berrien Springs, passed away Monday, October 5, 2009 at Jordan’s Nursing Home. A Memorial service will be held 2:00 P.M. Friday, October 9, 2009 at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Pastor Paul Koehneke officiating. Friends may call from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Peace Lutheran Church. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Kay was born August 27, 1948 in Benton Harbor, MI to Earl & Doris (Totzke) Woodward. Upon graduation from St. Joseph High School in 1966, Kay attended Lake Michigan College. On October 11, 1969, she married James Bendoski in St. Joseph. She worked for Heath Co. before dedicating herself to raising her two children, Kimberly and Ryan. She was a talented organist and also had a love of arts and crafts. Her greatest love though was spending time with her family with whom she loved dearly. Kay had a very strong faith in God which comforted her through the hardest times in her life. Never one to complain about the petty nuances in life or even the enormous medical and physical challenges she had to face, Kay would only want to know how you were doing. Kay is survived by her son Ryan Bendoski of Berrien Springs; mother Doris Woodward of St. Joseph; sister Connie (Don) Byers of Berrien Springs; niece Kelly (Brian) Nimtz of St. Joseph; nephew Jeff (Michelle) Byers of Stevensville; great nephew Carter Nimtz; and great nieces Kelsey Nimtz, and Erica & Jamie Byers; and four special caregivers Holly, Michelle, Sally and Harriett. In addition to her father Kay was preceded in death by her husband James in 1994 and daughter Kimberly in 1993.