Merle Ardene Dobrenen

Merle Ardene Dobrenen passed away peacefully on March 7, 2025, at the age of 99. She is preceded in death by her husband, Alex Michael Dobrenen in October of 2001 and her son, Michael Dobrenen in April of 2010.
She is survived by her daughter, Susan Cederquist (Eric); her son, David Dobrenen; and her daughter-in-law, Pam Dobrenen (Michael). 6 Grandchildren: Brian Dobrenen (Stephanie), Jamie Cederquist (Leslie), Clay Cederquist (Haley), Alex Dobrenen, Katie Dobrenen, and Jeremy Palmer (Chrissy). 8 Great grandchildren: Alex Cederquist, Elliott Dobrenen, Silas Dobrenen, Roslynn Dobrenen, Janice Dobrenen, Luke Palmer, Sarah Palmer and Alice Palmer.
Merle Dobrenen was born in Toronto, Kansas on December 7, 1925. Her parents were Margaret Warren who taught in a one-room schoolhouse and Grant Lester Groat who farmed in Kansas. Together, they raised 6 children. At age 99, Merle outlived all of her siblings.
In 1943, Merle Dobrenen graduated from East High School in Wichita, Kansas. She was 16 years old when Pearl Harbor happened which affected her decisions later in life. She learned to ration sugar and coffee; and to save her silk nylons. After high school, she wanted to support the war on the home front and volunteered at the USO as a singer. Also, Merle worked as a "Rosie the Riveter" at the Boeing Aircraft plant in Wichita, Kansas. Her job was to fit and rivet, the nose cone from the inside of the airplane.
In 1947, Merle Dobrenen moved to Bakersfield, California and worked as a switchboard operator for Pacific Bell. Her life was about to change. In August of 1947, Merle met a handsome Army veteran, Sargeant First Class, Alex Dobrenen who had recently, returned from Japan. Sargeant Dobrenen served with the Kagoshima Military Government Team in Kyushu, Japan as an MP (Military Police Officer). As a farm girl herself, Merle learned that this rugged farmer loved his family and helped his mother on their Shafter cotton and peanut farm. Merle wanted to make sure that Alex had an excuse to stop by after their first date, so she left one of her earrings on the front seat of his brand-new car.
He did -Alex Dobrenen and Merle Groat were married on November 23, 1947. Yes, 3 months later. Alex's mother did not speak English, so Merle learned some of the Russian Malakan customs and words to talk with her mother-in-law. Merle's Russian mother-in-law taught her some basic sewing skills on her foot-pumped sewing machine and Merle taught "Babunya" how to make spaghetti --- which became her favorite American food. As a newlywed, Merle remembered picking cotton by hand, digging out the peanuts from the ground and chopping cotton.
Merle loved farm life and always said it was the best life.
Alex sold the original 10-acre farm on Madera Avenue and purchased 3 houses on 50 acres at the corner of Scaroni and Tulare Avenues. They were thrilled to buy a one-row cotton picker, which is on display in the Shafter Railroad Museum.
Alex and Merle raised cotton, barley and 3 kids on their Tulare Avenue farm in the Maple Elementary School District. Merle served as a Maple Elementary School PTA President and was a Cub Scout Den Mother. She worked in the Shafter High School cafeteria and loved cooking. Many Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners were hosted at the Shafter farm with Merle's famous mashed potatoes, roast turkey, macaroni-n-cheese and pumpkin pie.
Music had an important place in the Dobrenen household. Merle's children remember everyone singing in the car with the windows down on those hot summer Shafter nights on their way to buy cherry cokes at Dari-Delite. Evenings at home included Alex leading his children in singing Merle's favorite song, "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. You'll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please, don't take my sunshine away".
Merle loved her grandchildren and enjoyed traveling to see them. Whether it was taking Brian to the Fresno Zoo, watching Jamie and Clay's baseball games, going to Katie's ballet performances, or watching Alex's swim meets Merle and Alex
enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren.
In 1997, Alex and Merle celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends. They enjoyed cruising in Mexico, traveling to Kansas and road trips to Las Vegas. Merle enjoyed family vacations to Cayucos where she and Alex would walk on the pier, together. After her husband, Alex Dobrenen died in 2001, Merle stayed on the farm and leased the land. Later, she sold the property and moved to Bakersfield.
Merle Dobrenen stayed at Brookdale Convalescent Home for 13 years. She cherished the visits from Sue Franz and Pastor Pat Coyle from the Mennonite Brethren Church. When her children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren would visit, Grandma Merle asked many direct questions, held their hand and asked them to hug her or kiss her on the forehead. These visits were never long enough for Merle who often asked if we could stay a little while longer. Within the last few years, Merle met Jeremy Palmer, his wife Chrissy and their children from Mesa, Arizona. She loved them very much and welcomed them into the Dobrenen family.
Merle Dobrenen is remembered for her honest opinions, generosity, direct questions and interest in her family's lives. She faced many major health concerns. Yet, she was a fighter because she survived colon cancer, double pneumonia, covid, sepsis, and deep vein thrombosis. She lived a life of struggles, yet she experienced many triumphs. Her life was filled with much happiness and joy because of her loving family.
Merle Dobrenen was a member of the Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church and loved the Lord Jesus as her personal savior.
Family stories are cherished memories that can bring comfort to all of us.
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live" John 11:25
"The memory of the righteous is a blessing" Proverbs 10:7
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18