Nancy Louise King

Nancy peacefully passed away at Shane and Diana's house, surrounded by her loved ones. 

She is survived by many family members, her son Shane Bender (Diana Landry) and granddaughter Chanel Landry. As well as her son Sean Bender (Janet Bender) and grandchildren Bryan Bender and Caitlin Rintalin. Son in law Brooks Wolle (Margrett Michelle Wolle) and grandchildren Chris Rouse, Rick Wolle, Clay Wolle and Haley Wolle. She also has many great grandchildren, who she loved dearly. Nancy has five siblings; Guy King, David King, Katie Alsup, Kevin King and Jason King and their spouses as well as her nieces and nephews. 


Nancy is preceded in death by her daughter Margrett Michelle Wolle. 


Nancy's family moved to Clayton, New Mexico where she graduation from Clayton High School. She worked for the newspaper "The Union County Leader" as a reporter and columnist. She married Richard Bender and moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico. Nancy worked as an Office Manager at an osteopathic doctor's office in Las Cruces.

She attended New Mexico State University and earned her master's degree. She taught English and writing and worked with English second language students, as she was a fluent Spanish speaker. She taught at UTEP and CNM. One year Nancy lived Xalapa, Mexico and taught via a Full Bright Exchange.

Nancy travelled extensively, visiting Mexico, Spain, France and the Netherlands. 


Nancy loved to read and did so throughout her life. She read literary classics, New York Time's Best Sellers and books chosen by fellow members of "Book Babes", the book club of which she was a member for years. The diseased that Nancy had also robbed her of the ability to read. She listened to audio books and was also read to by her sister Katie, brother David an others. She also belonged to a book club at Brookdale Assisted Living. She belonged to a writing group also. Devoted to education, Nancy continued to attend college classes even after retirement. 

Nancy loved music, both popular and classical. In her late teens, she taught herself to play the ukelele and sang folk songs of the day. There was always music playing in her home and she hummed, sang and snapped her fingers continuously. 

Nancy was well cared for at the Brookdale Valencia Assisted Living Facility for the past two years. The caregivers from Comfort Keepers did a wonderful job taking care of Nancy. We would also like to thank the Bosque Trails Hospice Nurses for gently guiding us through this difficult time. Many thanks to Marcela who was always there when we needed her the most. 

Brian and Kelly Alsup visited her during her last days. Many thanks to Brian for playing the guitar for her. The Book Babes visit with their colorful stories and singing to her was wonderful. 

Nancy was quite the driver! If you were unfortunate enough to be the passenger in her car, you would arrive at the destination with your heart pounding, palms sweaty and amazed that you were still alive. 

Nancy cared greatly for her entire family; her warmth and wit were never ending. Family, food, and fun were the three things she lived by. 

December 5th, 2026, would have been Nancy's 80th birthday. The family would like to have a Celebration of Life in Albuquerque at Shane and Diana's home.