Margaret Dennis

Margaret Kulstad Dennis November 21, 1911 - October 15, 2011 The long-time teacher, counselor, and principal in Bakersfield City School District passed away peacefully on October 15th with family by her side. Margaret is lovingly survived by her sons, Donald A. Dennis and Robin L. Dennis; daughters-in-law, Kay Dennis and Cosi Long; granddaughter, Karen Farris, her husband, Mitch, and their daughters, Jessica and Lindsay; granddaughter, Dawn Amber Dennis, her husband, Chris Ross, and their son, Cinque; and granddaughter, Shawn Zeringue, her husband, Brian, and their children, Hannah, Amanda and Justin. Margaret was born in Kansas City, Kansas at her mother's sister's home. The three-and-a-half pound baby required a home call from the doctor who ordered a new-fangled bottle for cow's milk to be given after every whimper. The family expanded to include a brother, Bill, born in Albuquerque, New Mexico and a sister, Lucille, born in Springfield, Missouri. The family moved frequently as their father followed opportunities for work. Margaret attended a host of rural schools from Oklahoma, to California and up to Idaho, where the family settled in Bonner's Ferry long enough for her to finish high school. She used to tease that just about the time she finished reading all the books in a school library, it was time to move. Margaret was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Redlands in Redlands, California, where she pursued her dream of being a teacher and met her great love, Al Dennis. They married in 1932. Margaret spent most of her life in Bakersfield once she and Al moved there from Redlands in 1937. Al, a 1925 graduate of BHS, was returning home to teach math and photography at his alma mater and he remained there for 37 years. That was just fine with Margaret who, after all that childhood moving, just wanted to live in one place. Margaret began her long teaching career when the draft for World War II began claiming young male teachers. Her first teaching assignment was at Beardsley School, where the boys towered above her. The following year she taught at Lerdo School, and then was hired by the Bakersfield City School District to teach math to 7th graders at Emerson Jr. High. Margaret went on to teach at Golden State, serving as chairman of the Language Arts Department, was a counselor at Fremont Elementary, became principal at Voorhies Elementary and finished her career as principal at Baker School. Margaret was very proud that the majority of her career was spent working with poor, minority children where she could impart her love of learning and show them how education could change one's life. She taught until 1974, when she retired to travel the world with Al. After retiring, Margaret and Al followed their mutual dream of seeing the world, trying to step foot on every continent. Al died in 1981 and eventually Margaret made it to Antarctica, the continent they had missed. After Al's death, Margaret volunteered at The Guild House benefiting the Child Guidance Clinic, Memorial Hospital and The Bakersfield Art Museum. She also worked to raise money for scholarship programs through The American Association of University Women, The Retired Teachers, The University of Redlands and The Westchester Kiwanis of Bakersfield, of which Al Dennis was a charter member. The Kiwanis club adopted her as their honorary Den Mother and their ongoing community service work held a special place in her heart. Margaret's dearest concern was raising money for needy students; she did so in repayment to the unknown 1929 benefactor who offered a little country girl the life-changing opportunity to attend The University of Redlands. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Westchester Kiwanis Foundation Scholarship fund at: Westchester Kiwanis Foundation, P.O. Box 271, Bakersfield, CA 93302. Services will be held on Saturday, October 22, at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m., with a graveside service for those who would like to attend at 11:30 a.m..