In Loving Memory

Inge Mebes Bender

Inge Mebes Bender, a longtime Kettle Falls resident, passed away in Colville, Washington on November 3, 2023, with her loving family by her side.  Inge was born on July 6, 1940 in Sekitsch, Yugoslavia to Phillip and Margaret Karbiener.

Early in her life, Inge and her family, along with the majority of the population of Sekitsch were captured by communist forces and taken to a concentration camp, where many would pass away.  Her brother Philipp, would sneak away in search of food to sustain the pair.  Following the passing of their grandparents, Inge's remaining family would be separated, and while Inge spent the next years in an orphanage, followed by a foster family, her mother, following her escape from a labor camp, worked tirelessly to reunite them all.

Inge, along with her family would immigrate to the United States in the 1950's, settling in New York, where she would attend and graduate from high school.  Following her graduation, Inge would attend cosmetology school, becoming a hairdresser.  This career would see her relocate to the U.S. Virgin Islands to work at a secondary location that her employer would send his most skilled hairdressers to care for exclusive vacationing clientele during the height of tourism season.  One of the most memorable clients to grace Inge's chair was none other than Lady Bird Johnson.

It was here in the Virgin Islands where she would meet the love of her life, Rene, a manager of Bluebeards Resort in St. Thomas.  She saw him carrying a saddle, and being a lifelong horse lover, she knew there had to be a horse nearby, and her interest was piqued.  Unbeknownst to her, Rene had already taken note of her presence, and was equally intrigued by her.  The two would be wed in January of 1968, and shortly afterwards the pair would begin the search for a restaurant of his own.

The pair would purchase Freddie's Tavern in Kettle Falls in 1969, transforming it into The Swiss Chalet, and built a cabin in Onion Creek shortly thereafter.  Inge and her husband, Rene, would welcome two children, Heidi and Mark, before Rene's unexpected passing in 1981.

Although her family strongly encouraged her to return to New York, wishing to maintain a semblance of normalcy in the kids lives, Inge would persevere in Kettle Falls, relying on her community of friends and neighbors to help along the way.  In 1989, Inge would suffer a major heart attack, requiring a quintuple bypass, and it was discovered that her time in a concentration camp and subsequent years of malnutrition early in her life lead to a rare blood disorder.

Inge began public speaking events in the early 90's for local schools and organizations, recounting the stories of her early years in Europe, and the countless struggles she and her family persevered through.  Air Force Colonel Brian Landry would interview Inge over the course of several years, constructing his PhD dissertation on surviving captivity around her life's story.

In 2009, Inge would be wed to Theodore Bender, a longtime friend who was a fellow Mason with Rene, and the two would live together in Kettle Falls until his passing in 2015.  Inge would continue to speak at schools for many years, sharing her story with the children of Stevens County for the last time in October 2023.  When she wasn't speaking with kids or spending time with her children and grandchildren, Inge loved to spend her time outdoors, from watching horses and feeding the birds, to digging in her garden and tending to her flowers.

Inge was preceded in death by her husbands, Rene Mebes and Theodore Bender; her parents, Phillip and Margaret Karbiener, and her brother, Philipp Karbiener.

She is survived by her children, Heidi Hastings and Mark Mebes; four grandchildren; Jonas Mebes, Justin Mebes, Connor Mebes and Ashley Hastings, and six great grandchildren Sophia, Kyra, Gabe, Ava, Carter and Jax.

The funeral services for Inge will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at Danekas Funeral Chapel in Colville, Washington.  Inge will be laid to rest with her husband, Rene at Highland Cemetery in Colville.  Please visit the on-line memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.  Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with Inge's care.