Melanie Meier
I remember having her as my Kindergarten teacher, 2nd grade Social Studies teacher, and Year Book Staff Supervisor when I was in 7th or 8th grade. In Kindergarten, she would always say “gesundheit” after someone sneezed, so for years and years, I always said “gesundheit” too, not realizing until much later that it was German and not English. In 2nd grade, I remember her abruptly stopping her instruction from the front of the class to hurry to the back of the class to do the heimlich on Charlie Cadenhead. It shot his jolly rancher clear across the room and all of us were in awe of what she had just done. I also remember her taking me aside in 4th grade to ask me if I was ok after she noticed I looked sad..I had returned to school after my Great Grandmother’s funeral. I remember going to her house to swim with the others who were on yearbook staff. Her son, Scott, was just a year below me in school and joined all of us. I remember her not being able to make it to my wedding and being very disappointed as I had my 1st Kindergarten class be a part of my wedding, and wanted her there next to Ms Mueller (my other favorite teacher..1st grade), but she made sure I received her wedding gift of a silver wedding album when I saw her next at a Zion reunion. Although, her last name changed to Bennett, she’s always been “Mrs Berhend” to me when I’ve spoken of her to others. She was the sweetest teacher! We sang lots of songs in her class on the rectangular carpet and learned how to write our names in the workbooks while laying on the cool tile floor after playing outside. One time, we were singing “Blue bird, blue bird, through my window…” as we all held hands standing in a circle. One child was to zip in and out under the other’s arms. I wasn’t cooperating and because we had several “M” names in the class..Melanie, Meredith, and Melissa, she sent Melissa to the corner accidentally instead of me, but Melissa corrected her. She was kind, even when she had to discipline. She was so much like my own mother, Barbara. I loved her so much! I know she will be greatly missed!
