This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: BAINER, COOK Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/.2ACB.2ACI/23 Message Board Post: Lena Bainer Lena Bainer, a longtime, prominent Davis resident, died in her sleep at Sierra Health Care June 10, 2003. She was 101. Born in a sod house in Scott County, Kan., Jan. 23, 1902, she attended what was then Kansas State College in Manhattan, Kan., and the State Teacher's College in Hays, Kan. Lena returned to Scott City, in Western Kansas, where she taught fourth grade for some time. There, in her hometown, she became a leader of the Campfire Girls and joined the Order of the Eastern Star -- an organization she remained a member of for more than 75 years. In 1926 she married Roy Bainer, then returned with him to Manhattan, where he worked as an instructor and assistant professor at Kansas State. The couple moved to Davis in 1929. Here Roy would become chair of the UC Davis agricultural engineering program and, in 1962, the founding dean of the College of Engineering. Lena worked part-time for 20 years in the UCD registrar's office and enjoyed her contact with students. But she guided far more youth away from the office. She helped lead a variety of youth groups at the Davis Community Church, and, in 1930, organized the city's first Girl Scout troop. She was a scout leader for 16 years, and was lovingly nicknamed "Cottontail." She served as Mother Advisor for the Rainbow Girls, a teen branch of Eastern Star, for 26 years. Lena was also active in other community activities, acting as president of the University Farm Circle group and the Woman's Organization of the Davis Community Church, as well as a church Circle Leader and Sunshine Chairman for several years. She organized the first Republican Women's Club in Davis, and was a member of the Leisure Hour Club for more than 30 years. In her free time, she enjoyed a variety of craft-making, taking part in bridge clubs and entertaining her friends. Lena touched the hearts of many with her enthusiastic community involvement and with her deep love of people, her family said. She is survived by her daughter LaNelle, of Mill Valley; her sister-in-law Audrey Cook, of Scott City; and three nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at Davis Community Church, 412 C Street, at 2 p.m. Monday, June 16, 2003. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the U.C. Davis Alzheimer's Center, 4860 Y St., Sacramento, CA 95817, with checks made out to the UC Regents. (Obituary from the "The Davis Enterprise," Sunday, June 15, 2003, (Yolo County, California). Submitted with the permission of the "The Davis Enterprise," 315 G Street, Davis, CA 95616, <http://www.davisenterprise.com/>. Please note: I am not related to the family listed above, and I do not have any further information on this family.)