Dena Ida Newman's Obituary
Dena Ida Newman August 26, 1928 – January 31, 2014Dena Newman passed away January 31 at Bethany Home in Ripon, California after a long illness. She was born to Pearl and Emma (Doehring) Barton in Grundy Center, Iowa on August 26, 1928. The family moved to Gladstone, Nebraska, where she attended District 21 school; they then moved to Fairbury, Nebraska where she completed one year of high school. In 1941, the Barton family relocated to California, where Dena completed high school in Petaluma, California.Dena met Ira Newman at a little Mexican restaurant and after several refusals, finally agreed to a date. They were married in Virginia City on October 7, 1950 and Dena became a stepmother to two boys. Ira and Dena became parents of two boys and a girl of their own. Dena lost Ira on February 3, 1987. Dena was a working mom, and throughout her career was employed by Hamilton Field Air Force Base, Granny Goose and Sears. Dena moved to Manteca, California in 1988 to be close to her daughter and family. Her retirement years were spent with family and she loved tending to her garden.Dena is preceded in death by her parents, husband Ira, son James, stepson Bob and great-grandson Landon. She is survived by her children: son Gerald “Ike” Newman, daughter Tammy Wahl (Jeff), stepson Dick Newman, grandchildren: Matt, Travis, Amber, Jay, Corinne, Wes, Kurt, Brad, Laurie, Robin and Scott, 22 great-grandchildren, and sisters Wanda Lines and Madeline Barton.Services will be held at Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home, 32992 Mission Boulevard, Hayward, California, 94544 on Friday, February 7, 2014. Viewing will be from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM with a service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dena’s Memory to the American Cancer Society by visiting: https://donate.cancer.org/
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