Maureen Sue Bultena

BULTENA

1941 ~ 2041

Maureen Sue Bultena was born September 18, 1941 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Frieda Rabe Kramer and Albert Kramer. She was part of a large and loving family. Her family soon moved to Michigan. When she was 10 years old her brother, Michael Kramer, was born. In 1952, the Kramer family moved to Southern California where she graduated from Anaheim High School in 1959. Maureen met her future husband, David A. Bultena, at the Lutheran church youth group while in her teens. They were married on December 16, 1962. She graduated, the following year, from California State University, Long Beach with a Bachelors degree in Sociology. She was an active member of Delta Zeta Sorority. After graduation, they made their home in Anaheim, and she began working at the Orange County Probation Office. In 1966, their daughter Diana was born, and soon after that David began law school while Maureen continued her career.

In 1971, David accepted a job with the District Attorney's office in Merced, and the family followed in 1972. Mrs. Bultena promptly became involved in the community by joining a number of organizations and by volunteering at Chenoweth Elementary School, to be near her children and grandchildren. She continued her work there throughout her life and was preparing to go to the school on the day she left the world.

Maureen continued her vocation with children by working at the Merced County Probation Office specializing in juvenile intake. In 1981 their son John was born, however, she continued to work at the Probation Office periodically until 1994.

She had been an involved member of Lawyers' Wives, Symphony League, American Association of University Women (A.A.U.W.), Merced County Historical Society, and was a founding member of the city school district's Long-range Facilities Master Plan Citizens Advisory Committee. She initiated the restoration of the old courthouse, which is now the Merced County Courthouse Museum. She was an active member at St. Paul's Lutheran Church and Court Appointed Special Advocates (C.A.S.A.). She was appointed to the Merced City School District Board of Education in 1993, and in 1995 was elected to serve a full four year term. She was the Board President for three terms, 1996, '97, & '98. In addition, she served on the Board of Directors for several other organizations. Both Maureen and David were strong supporters of UC Merced and their lobbying efforts were helpful in establishing the tenth UC campus in Merced.

Mrs. Bultena was a lifelong advocate for children and education, and those that were close to her knew that she never sought, or even accepted, recognition for all of her efforts and time. She truly believed in the value of learning, and mentored every child that was lucky enough to meet her. She will be deeply missed by the community, by the many organizations she served, and by the children whose lives she impacted. She created a legacy by instilling the value of education and volunteer work in her children and grandchildren.

She was a devoted grandmother, a dedicated mother, and a loving, supportive wife. She will be missed most of all by her family, because the love and commitment she shared each and every day were immeasurable.

Maureen is survived by her husband David A. Bultena, her daughter Diana Bultena Severson, and her son John Bultena. She leaves behind two grandchildren, Sam Severson and Hanna Severson. She is also survived by her brother Michael Kramer and his wife Becky, of Anaheim, California, as well as a cousin Nancy Szeredy and her husband Butch, of La Habra, California. She is survived by three nieces, six nephews, and many long-time friends.

Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 10am at St. Paul's Lutheran Church 2916 McKee Road.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Merced County Historical Society or St. Paul's Lutheran Church are welcome.