Sitting on a bench, in front of the office, at Charles Mack Elementary school sat a first grade girl, crying. All her siblings would be attending that school this year. They didn’t have room for this tall, blonde-haired, blued-eyed, first grade girl; she must be bused to another school where there was room. The kindergarten teacher didn’t know this little girl, she was new to the school, but all the same she came over and sat down next to her. Silently, the teacher held her hand waiting for the bus to arrive. Every day, that kindergarten teacher waited with the crying little girl for the bus to come and take her away. Every day that same kindergarten teacher was there to hold her hand again when the little girl returned on the bus to walk home with the siblings she missed so badly. 
Fast forward three years, the little girl has grown to love reading stories to kindergarten students. Twice each month the girl would enter the classroom of that wonderfully kind, kindergarten teacher from three years before she would ask if she could come more often than twice a month. The kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Dunzweiler, finally agreed and little girl then had no “vacation” from school because she spent every possible day she could in Mrs. Dunzweiler’s classroom reading, painting, and writing with groups of Kindergarten students. 
That little girl is me. I spent every month “off” of school for the next 4 years in Mrs. Dunzweiler’s classroom where she allowed me to work with small groups of 8-10 kindergarten students teaching them art, showing them how to use the new computer programs, reading aloud, and playing “big kid” games on the playground. Before spending so much time doing this, I thought I wanted to be an artist, painting murals, when I grew up. This experience set me upon a different path; I wanted to become a teacher like Mrs. Dunzweiler. I have been teaching 8 years now thanks to her love and now my little girl Elizabeth wants to be a teacher too.

I first saw Orene in 1964 on stage at the Sac State Theater.  I was in the lighting booth watching "Long Day's Journey Into Night" and she was the maid.  She wore a white cap over black hair.  When she removed the white cap, I saw blonde hair!  I was quite surprised.  I had just joined the theater group and we became friends.  She took me under her wing often taking me to her parents' house overnight.  She and I worked together on several shows and remained friends for many years.  She came to my wedding in April, 1969 and I attended hers in August, 1969.  She was the godmother of both our boys.  We shared a lot of crazy times in college.

The kindest and most welcoming  person when I first arrived as a new member at First United Methodist Church was Orene.  Orene loved her family, her church and the organization of United Methodist Women.  She  will remain in our hearts and  we will miss her.


I have known Orene for over 45 years.  She was a person.  I used to be a Sunday teacher , Orene was the ahead of Children's Ministries.  She was very active in umw,  mom's and other activities,  she will be missed  rip Orene.  
                     Betty Lunardi 

OBITUARY

Orene Elizabeth Dunzweiler

May 24, 1943 – December 15, 2018

Harry A. Nauman & Son

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