Daisy L. Bendickson

Daisy L. Bendickson, 90, longtime Moses Lake resident passed away Sunday, March 7 2010 at her home. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, March 12, 2010 at Kayser's Chapel. Daisy Lee Koon was born on October 29, 1919 in Fort White, Florida. She was the 10th of 13 children born to James and Jessie Belle (Rooks) Koon, and was the last surviving sibling of the family. She graduated high school at Bell, Florida in 1939 and attended Massey Business School in Jacksonville, Florida. She bought a corner gas station/restaurant in Alachua, Florida, living in the apartment above the station and working the business. World War II began and rationing started. Daisy sold her business and returned to Jacksonville, working as a secretary at St. John Ship where liberty ships were being built to support the war effort. She jumped at the chance to join the Navy, becoming one of the first WAVES in 1943. While in the Navy, she provided clerical support and was ultimately stationed at the Tongue Point Naval Air Station in Astoria, Oregon. She remained there until the war ended and was discharged in 1946. After the war, she returned to Seattle, working secretarial jobs, teaching typing & steno classes and later attending the University of Washington, majoring in Speech Correction. It was during this time that she met her future husband, Marvin S. Bendickson. Daisy and Marvin married in Seattle on February 19, 1949, where they made their home and started a family, growing to four children over 10 years (Dennis, Kenneth, Linda and Carol). In 1959, the family moved to Moses Lake, making their home on a small farm in Cascade Heights. During over 40 years on the farm, Daisy raised a variety of livestock and mastered butchering chickens and rabbits, selling eggs, milk and meat locally. She always had a prize garden with plenty to share. She raised a family and still managed time to be involved with many school and community activities including the Grant County Fair, county poll work, 4-H and scouting. Marvin passed away in 1996. In 2000, Daisy sold the farm and moved to a smaller home in Cascade Valley where she remained until her death. Daisy was a member of the church of Christ, a faithful Christian with a loving and giving heart that flowed abundantly. To the end she remained feisty and independent, determined, optimistic and industrious. She was happiest working outdoors, using her green thumb in her yard or garden, communing with God in all His glory. She is survived by her 4 children, Dennis (Cheryl) of Burlington, Iowa, Kenneth (Fordinka) of Astoria, Oregon, Linda of Cheney, WA, Carol (Brad) Mercer of Scottsdale, Arizona, 8 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Her bright smile and sunny spirit will be sorely missed and forever remembered by many who loved her deeply. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Veteran's Relief Fund, Attn: Van Fund, P.O. Box 7115, East Wenatchee, WA 98802 (ph. 509-884-3617)

Daisy L. Bendickson

October 29, 1919 - March 7, 2010