Dewald, Benjamin (ben) Raymond Obituary

Dewald, Benjamin (ben) Raymond attended Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, CA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Dewald, Benjamin (ben) Raymond.

Graduation Year	Class of 1939
Date of Passing	Mar 01, 2011
About	Ben, a native and life long resident of Elk Grove, died just a couple of weeks before his 90th Birthday. It was in Elk Grove on February 17, 1921 in a home on 2nd Avenue that Jessie Baker delievered Ben to his parents, Daniel and Lydia DeWald. They had moved to Elk Grove around 1920 and lived on the Dr. Beattie ranch off Elk Grove-Florin Road southwest of Bond Road. Ben received his education at both Elk Grove Elementary and Elk Grove High Schools. The family consisted of four boys and two girls, and all four boys played musical instruments in the school band. At an early age Ben worked at the Fenton D. Williamson ranch picking fruit and doing many odd jobs while going to school. In his senior year he met Wilma Van Doren, a freshman and member of another long time Elk Grove family. The two were married in 1942, and after four years in Spokan, Washington during World War II working for the federal governmanet, returned to Elk Grove. Here they raised three sons, all whom played musical instruments and two making music their careers. Ben went to work for Jerry Brown Motor Sales while attending business college to get his credentials to work for the state of California as a tax auditor. He retired in 1984 from the State Franchise Tax Board at the age of 63. During his working years he and Wilma joined Jerry and Esther Brown to purchase the Boulevard Theater from Carl and Joyce Amundson. The renamed it the Elk Theater and operated it for several years. Ben was also active in the Elk Grove Congregational Church serving as its treasurer and deacon for many years. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Edward, Raymond (twin), Alma, and Adeline, leaving only brother Herbert (95). His sister Alma is buried in the Elk Grove District Cemetery along with his parents. Ben leaves his loving wife of 69 years, Wilma (VanDoren); devoted sons Dan and wife Stella, Jay and wife Terri, and Dale and wife Anna; 10 grandchildren, 8 step-grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren. Graveside services were private. Rememberances may be made to the the Elk Grove Food Bank, P.O. Box 1447, Elk Grove, 95759. Arrangements are by East Lawn Elk Grove Mortuary. - Information from the Sacramento Bee and the Elk Grove Citizen