Doris Irene Dennis

Doris Irene (Lutes) Dennis

Doris Dennis made her transition on November 23, 2016. Doris was a member of the Auburn, Calif. community since 1955. She was born in a stone farmhouse on the family farm in Ohio. Doeris was born in 1918 before the end of World War I and before women had the vote. Doris attended a one room schoolhouse until high school. She graduated from Minerva High School, being placed into their "Hall of Fame" in 1997.

Doris attended Kent State, receiving her teaching certificate for the state of Ohio. She taught two and a half years in Ohio. During the summer breaks in 1941 and 1942, she worked in an armament plant, painting shells. Leaving teaching mid-year, she enlisted into the United States Marine Corps, entering the Corps within the first group for women. Doris was a supervisor in stock control, supervising men as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps.

After her honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Doris continued the same job as a civil service employee. Doris graduated from the University of Southern California (U.S.C.), earning her B.S. Degree and her Master Degree in Education Administration. She taught in the elementary school system for over 33 years in California, enjoying the experience and the challenge.

Doris moved to Clipper Gap, Calif. from Southern California in 1955. Doris moved again in 1956 to Auburn into the home that she had lived in for over sixty years.

Doris was a member of the First Congregational Church since 1958, participating in various church functions, helping out wherever needed and enjoying her church family. She was an active member of the local chapter of AARP, serving as Treasurer, President, and Vice President. She also had served various other community activities, including "Welcome Wagon", the local Republican Party, and the "Friends of Volunteers". She had enjoyed the fellowship at the Senior Center, playing bridge at both the Senior Center and Canyon View. In 2003 Doris was honored by being one of many nominees for Senior of the Year in 2003 by Placer County for her prior service.

In 2011 Doris participated in her first Veterans Day Parade. The parade that year was honoring the service of women. She was wearing her own 68 year-old Marine Corps uniform from her service in World War II. She was standing in the back seat of the convertible in order to see everyone. The last time Doris wore her Marine Corps uniform in a parade was in 1943 while she was in uniform, serving in the United States Marine Corps, with her company of fellow female Marines down the streets of New York City, during World War II. A picture of Doris was on the front page of the Auburn Journal on the Sunday following the parade in 2011. To be asked to be in her hometown Veterans Day parade was thrilling for her with the importance of honoring the service of women in the military.

Doris is survived by her son, Denny, and her brother, Frank. Her parents, four sisters, one brother, and ex-husband, Eldon, had preceded her in death. She chose her final resting place next to her grandparents at the Mt. Zion Methodist Cemetery behind the church, overlooking the family farm in Ohio.

In leiu of flowers a donation may be made either to the First Congregational Church, 710 Auburn Ravine Road, Auburn, Calif. or to the Minerva Educational Foundation: Alumni Association, P.O. Box 42, Minerva, Ohio.

A celebration of the life of Doris Irene Dennis will be held at the First Congregational Church, 710 Auburn Ravine Road, Auburn, Calif. on Sunday, December 11, 2016 at 12 noon. A reception will follow in Overmiller Hall at the church.

Doris had many friends, family and neighbors who provided her with comfort throughout her life. With her beliefs, she is now within God's hands.

For more information please visit www.chapelofthehills-auburn.com