Carla Lou Knoop Bender of Allen, Texas passed away May 14, 2017, at the age of 80. She was born September 15, 1936, to John Henry Knoop and Charlotte Marie Vick Knoop in Alamosa, CO. Carla was a 1955 graduate of Alamosa High School in Alamosa, CO. She received her teaching degree from Adam State College in Alamosa, CO. She married Theodore (Ted) Bender on February 27, 1965, in Santa Monica, CA. The pair had 2 daughters Pamela and Patricia while living in San Jose, CA and moved to Richardson, TX in 1978. Carla was a substitute teacher in Richardson Public Schools for 15 years, a role she truly enjoyed. She was very involved with her church participating in activities such as book club, adult Sunday school class and spending countless hours on knitting sweaters, booties and caps for those in need. She never wanted to miss playing bridge with her friends and enjoyed attending the theatre with her husband. Carla also enjoyed traveling all over the US and abroad with Ted. Carla was an avid Dallas Maverick fan and loved watching NBA basketball games. Carla’s true joy was spending time with her 3 grandchildren. She treasured attending all of her grandchildren’s activities and hearing about their school activities. Her smile brightened up the room; she was beloved and will be dearly missed by all.

Carla is survived by her husband, Ted Bender of Allen, TX; daughter, Pam Fish and her husband Jack, grandchildren, John, Carrie and Kristen Fish all of Plano, TX; daughter, Patricia Bender of Allen, TX; sister Jeanne Knoop Grovom (Jim) of Mission Viejo, CA; brother Charles Knoop (Cathy) of Los Alamos, NM; and sister in-law Molly Knoop Mekleburg of Greeley, CO; along with numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and a host of other loving family and friends.

Carla was preceded in death by parents John and Charlotte Knoop, brother John Knoop, Jr. and step-father Frank Gray. A memorial service was held Thursday, May 18, 2017 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Richardson, TX.