Paul "Stringbean" Bender

Paul "Stringbean" Bender, 68, of Omaha passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at CHI-Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha. 

In lieu of flowers, plants, and statues, Paul's family suggests memorials be made to Family Wishes for later designation. 

A Memorial Service for Paul will be at 10:30 on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at Svoboda Moravec Johnson Mortuary in Schuyler. Family greeting friends will be Tuesday from 9:30 until 10:30 at the mortuary. Burial will be in the Schuyler Cemetery with lunch following at St. Mary's Catholic Social Hall. Svoboda Moravec Johnson Mortuary is handling arrangements for Paul's Family. 

Paul "Stringbean" Bender was born on July 30, 1957 in Schuyler, Nebraska to Henry and Kathleen (Barker) Bender. String was the youngest of 9 children and grew up on the outskirts of Rogers. He began his schooling at Dist. 56 in Rogers and graduated from Schuyler High in 1975. Immediately after high school he went to work driving truck, starting for Arps Concrete and going on to drive for several companies throughout his life including Glodowski's, Central States, and most recently FedEx in Omaha. Through his trucking career Paul met Lee and they went on to be married on December 19, 1986. After their marriage, String welcomed Lee's daughter Brandi into his life once she moved from Canada.

Being the youngest of 9, you tend to grow up with thick skin and develop a sense of humor. String was always the first in line for a good time, whether it was cracking jokes, picking out a new nickname for you, or just there when you needed him to be. Early on String loved being involved with his grandchildren's lives and enjoyed babysitting them, and going to their horse shows when they were younger. Everyone always knew when String arrived at a party, you may not have seen him, but you knew he was there- either from his boisterous laugh or just the ease you felt when he was around. String also knew style and knew what he liked, from the first time he tried on those bell-bottomed jeans 50+ years ago he knew that they'd never go out of style with his cowboy boots and his leather Aussie hat. 

Paul is survived by his daughter Brandi-Lee Pavel of David City, grandchildren Kaci of Rising City, Sidnee (Devon) Spatz of Linwood, Jordan of David City, and Everest of Norfolk; great-grandchildren Koiya and Colter Spatz; Sisters: Margaret (EK) Henson of Louiseville, NE, Susan (Arden) Specht of Schuyler, Brothers: Thomas (Viola) Bender, Robert Bender, and Leroy Bender all of Schuyler, Danny Bender of Columbus and Glenn Bender of Wayne, as well as several nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his wife Lee in 2012, his parents Henry and Kathleen Bender, brother Duane Bender and sisters-in-law Connie and Luann Bender.