A mother, wife, and friends is remembered by those who were close to her.
30-year-old Clara Bender died after an explosion near 65th and Sprague on Monday.
Bender worked for CPM Reality and was checking on a house in the Benson area when the explosion happened. She is described as someone who loved her job, and also loved her family.
“It is an unbelievable tragedy that we are having. We are having a hard time adjusting, our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family, especially her son Dominic and her husband Jake,” said President of CPM Reality Jeremy Aspen.
Aspen said the explosion has turned the company’s world upside down. Bender’s husband, Jake Rinehart, also works for CPM.
“They were a dynamic, fun loving, in love couple,” said Aspen.
Bender was a mother to a young boy, Dominic. An old neighbor who used to babysit for Bender said when she heard the news of Bender’s death she broke down.
“I am still not holding up too well, I feel so bad for Dominic, I don’t know what I can do for him,” said Louise Vacanti.
Aspen said right now they can only wait and see what caused the explosion. Their company does have safety training, but this was something no one could prepare for.
“This is one of the instances that is so rare, there is no preparation for this, it is a travesty, and it was probably something that no training could have protected her from,” he said.
CPM is trying to rally around each other and the family because Bender was such a joy to have around.
“When someone passes away like this you are so lucky to put your head on your pillow, she cant and neither can Jake or their son comfortably for a while,” said Aspen.
Benders family is from out state and CPM is helping them get to Omaha. There is a Go Fund Me set up to help them.
