Celestina "Sally" (Paul) Bendewald

Stevensville  -  Celestina "Sally" Bendewald, 89, of Stevensville, passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at Kathy’s Place Assisted Living. She was born in Miles City, MT on September 18, 1934 to Jack and Kitty Paul. After graduating from Manhattan High School she went on to St. Patrick School of Nursing graduating as a registered nurse. She worked in pediatrics at St. Patrick’s hospital and in Dr. Preston’s office.

She met the love of her life, Alan Bendewald in September 1956 on a blind date set up by her future sister-in-law. They became engaged on New Year’s Day and were married on March 31, 1957. Dr. Preston delivered daughter Lindsey in January 1958; in March they moved to Salt Lake City where Sally worked at a hospital while Alan attended telegraph school. January 1959 took the family to Big Sandy, Havre, then to Salinas, CA where Laurie was born. In May 1960, they moved back to Missoula where Sally worked in private duty before moving to Bozeman in February 1962 where she worked at Deaconess Hospital while attending college. Son Michael was born in May 1964 and in August they moved back to Missoula where Alan began his career with the Farmers Home Administration. Over the next few years, the family lived in various towns in Montana; their ultimate goal was to return to the Missoula area for good. During the summer of 1968, while living in Havre, she was able to complete her degree in nursing. In 1970 they settled in Stevensville where they met many good friends through the square dancing club. These friendships grew throughout the years resulting in many memorable card parties, Christmas treeing adventures and business ventures including raising worms. Sally continued her nursing career working with both Dr. Combo and Dr. Ferguson and at the North Valley Nursing Home in Stevensville.

Sally enjoyed bowling, family camping trips, and daily pinochle games with her daughters. She loved attending her grandkids’ and great-granddaughter’s school activities. She lit up when the little great-grandkids visited, she was always up for a game of catch and sharing her ice cream. Sally was kind and loving, always seeing the good in everything and everyone. We will miss her and her beautiful smile.

The family would like to acknowledge and extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Kathy’s Place who loved and cared for her during her time there.

Sally was preceded in death by her husband, Alan; her parents; sisters Shirley Hinz and Regina Howard; brother Ray Smith; and son-in-law, Gary Ashmore. She is survived by her children, Lindsey Ashmore, Laurie Sonju (Dave) and Mike Bendewald; grandchildren, Danielle Sheridan (Chris), Jessica Moretti (JK), Geoff Hamers (Abbie) and Alyssa Peterson (Dillon); great-granddaughters Marley Sheridan and Ella Bright; great-grandsons Cooper and Brooks Peterson, Kaysen and Kellen Bright; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at Riverside Cemetery on Thursday, August 1, at 3:00 pm with a reception following at the Lonesome Dove. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to your charity of choice. Condolences and cards may be sent to the to Sally Bendewald Family, 3518 Holly Lane, Stevensville, MT 59870.  Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com. 

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