Ila Mae Dunzweiler |
| Posted 2022-01-11 by mhenderson |
| Published by Yuma Sun on Jan. 11, 2022 - Yuma, Arizona - Today I walk the Beauty Way, All darkness and evil departs. I now become beauty and peace. Ila Mae Dunzweiler, age 86, went on to the Spirit World on Sunday January 2, 2022. Ila was born on The Fort Yuma Reservation on July 20, 1936 to parents Clara Escalanti and Ray Jefferson. Ila grew up along the Colorado River with her two little brothers on the Fort Yuma Reservation. She attended school on the hill then at a tender age of five Ila was sent to Clovis New Mexico to attend boarding school. She lived there for a few years then returned home. A few years later Ila asked the Methodist Church Womens group to help her return to school. She was relocated to Hollywood California and lived at Francis DePalo and was enrolled at Hollywood High. During this time she began working for The Prettigrews as a care taker for their children. The family included her on their weekend visits to Laguna Beach where they had a beach cottage. Ila enjoyed high school, and her group of friends that she remained in contact with throughout her life. Her life was a living example of her commitment to her family, friends, tribal community and her continued preservation of the Quechan language. She was the mother of four children, Joleen Ila Dunzweiler, Alfred Norman Dunzweiler II, Merdine Dunzweiler and Monique Dunzweiler. Ila was a 1953 graduate of Hollywood High. She married Alfred Norman Dunzweiler on January 29, 1954 at Lutes Wedding Chapel. She was preceded in death by her husband Alfred and brother Milton Jefferson. Ila is survived by her children, her brother Preston Arrow-weed, a sister Joyce Kline, and a brother Jerry Washington, grand children Almond Acuna, Mark William White II, Joseph Norman White, Weylin Daniel White, Morgan Lupescu, and Michaelena Dunzweiler. Great grandchildren Dashel White,Charlie White, Ila Acuna, Mia Acuna, Lyric Lupescu, Legend Lupescu, Bradley Kenny and Breanna Kenny. She is loved and cherished by numerous family relatives and friends. Ila dedicated many years to the Women's Council of the Methodist Church. She was a member of the Southwest Conference for Native Affairs. She eventually returned to the Fort Yuma Reservation where she served as a member of The Quechan Tribal Council and then went on to became a language instructor teaching for the tribe until her passing. Ila Mae Dunzweiler will be completing the cycle of her journey home on Tuesday January 11, 2022. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 am at the Methodist Mission. The service will be held outdoors on the basketball court. Runners will accompany Ila to the grounds. 12:00 pm Traditional Tribal Services at the Big House. 5:00 pm Traditional Tribal Cremation. Please sign the guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/yumasun |
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