Michael Phillip Bendel age 66, of Rochester, passed away on June 14, 2012.

Mike was born on June 1, 1946 in Minneapolis, MN. He grew up in the Minneapolis area, the son of Markus and Dorothy Bendel and is the oldest of 4 children including Mark, Mitch and Marty. He graduated from De LaSalle High School in 1964, and then received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics from St. Mary's University in Winona, MN in 1968.

He married Claudia Marion, of Hettinger, ND on May 25, 1968.  Mike attended programming school through IBM in Kingston, NY, after which time he and Claudia moved to Rochester, MN near the end of 1968.  He continued to work for IBM the next 34 years as a computer programmer and then through the ranks of management, from which he retired.

Mike and Claudia had four children, Michael, David, Tom, and Kimberly.   He was his kids biggest fan and made many opportunities (corrective and otherwise!) available, whether he was attending or helping out at events or just anytime.  Mike enjoyed playing cards with his 500 club, traveling with friends and family all over the world, bowling, gardening, coin and stamp collecting, volunteering in a variety of roles at St. Pius Catholic Church, being part of Teams of our Lady and Knights of Columbus.  He was not a "meetings" kind of person, but instead enjoyed the "getting out there and helping" group of people.  Mike was well known for his thrift and craftiness.  It was rare for him to call upon an expert to do almost anything around the house or with the family cars.  He handily managed 99% of whatever came his way, and had the project remnants to prove it!

Mike made his presence known through quiet, humble, and thoughtful participation.  Whether it was making creative and amazing themed cakes for whoever asked, riddle laden adventure challenges for the card club team or Easter egg hunts for the kids, he really appreciated the moment and helped you do the same.

He was diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Dementia (a type of Alzheimer's) in 2003.  It was an awful disease that slowly robbed him of life and just did not seem fair given all the good he had done and been for those around him. Ultimately it claimed his life on this Earth in a peaceful way in his sleep, as he travels on to greater glory in Christ.

Mike is survived by his wife of 44 years, Claudia, two sons Mike (Karen) and David, daughter Kim (Aaron), grandchildren Matthew, Daniel, Aiden and Peyton, two brothers, Mitch and Marty Bendel, sister-in-law Sharon Bendel, nephew Mark and niece Jenna Bendel.

Mike was preceded in death by his son Tom, brother Mark, and parents Mark and Dorothy.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Monday June 18 ^th , 2012 at the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home (1105 12 ^th Street SE Rochester, MN 55904) and one hour prior to the funeral service at the church.  The Funeral Mass for Mike will be held at 10:30am Tuesday, June 19 ^th , 2012 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, with Rev. Paul Nelson officiating.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Rochester, MN.

The family would like to thank Armin and Deanne Schrimpf at Rehoboth Adult and Elderly Care, as well as the doctors who assisted in his care, especially Dr. Thomas Jaeger, who was Mike's primary doctor from the Mayo Clinic.

Please direct any memorials to the Alzheimer's Foundation at the Mayo Clinic or the Lourdes High School Foundation.