August 2, 1932 - April 12, 2023
Dawn Elaine Mensinger passed away peacefully with her family by her side. She was 90 years old.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Robert Michael Mensinger and her brother Leslie Schmid of Stockton.
She is survived by her children, Stephanie Hernandez (Dirk) of Turlock, Marilyn Mendes (David) of Modesto, and Stephen Mensinger (Robin) of Costa Mesa. She is survived by her grandchildren Aaron Mendes, Heather Formby, Hilary Hernandez, Cole Mensinger and Hunter Mensinger and her great-grandchildren Doug Formby, Liliana Formby, and Logan Mendes. Dawn is also survived by her brother, Lewis Schmid of Irvine.
Dawn was born August 2, 1932, in French Camp, Ca the daughter of Emil and Alice (Katberg) Schmid. She was raised in Stockton, Ca to a farming family in the San Joaquin Valley. She was a fifth generation Californian and a proud descendent of pioneers settling at Sutter’s Fort in 1845, before the Gold Rush. Dawn met the love of her life, “Mike” Mensinger at age 16 while attending Stockton High School. Mike was smitten from the beginning. They continued dating while in college and Dawn graduated from the University of Pacific, where she earned her B.A. degree in Education. While at University of Pacific she was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority and passed that legacy on to her granddaughter Heather Formby. Dawn and Mike married on September 1, 1952, and shortly thereafter moved to Edinburgh, Scotland where Mike was stationed in the Air Force. It was there that they had their first child, Stephanie. Once back in the US, they made their home in Stockton, Ca (Morada) and had two more children, Marilyn, and Stephen. Along with raising three children, Dawn was involved in Junior Aide of Stockton and worked as a Special Education Aide at Davis Elementary. She was also a member of the Eastern Star, McHenry Museum, American Cancer Society, and a 4-H leader.
Her biggest accomplishment was her active involvement with Doctors Medical Center’s Service League for 34 years. She accumulated 25,000 volunteer hours and was recognized for the most hours worked of any volunteer, during a DMC Service League luncheon. She also served as a two term President of the DMC Service League, 18 years as Chairman of the DMC Giftbox, 14 years working the front desk and 2 years as an associate member. She also reviewed the DMC scholarship applications for the Junior Volunteers who wanted to continue into the medical field. Dawn was one of a kind. People were drawn to her warmth, her smile, and her laugh. She made people feel right at home, the minute she met you. Family was everything to her. She adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She looked forward to the visits and the phone calls. As many would say, “Dawn was the best of the best” at entertaining and hospitality. She hosted two wedding receptions for her daughters at her home and made all the food, with help from her friends. She also hosted many Rotary and Trade Club events and insisted on having the family holidays at her house. Dawn enjoyed her art classes, gardening, cooking, canning, drying fruit, talking on the telephone, and spending as much time as possible with her family. She was a faithful San Francisco 49ner and San Francisco Giants fan. Her favorite quote was “It’s a great life, if you don’t weaken.”
SERVICES:
Services for Dawn will be held on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 11:00 am in the Evergreen Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, 14165 N. Beckman Rd in Lodi, California. Burial immediately following.
Lunch will be at Pietros following the burial at – 317 E. Kettleman Ln -Lodi.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the DMC Service League – Memo: Dawn Mensinger Scholarship Fund. Mail to: Susanne Brokaw-Treasurer -2908 Blossomwood Ct – Modesto, Ca 95355-9100 and Community Hospice –Modesto.