New Life Master: Rajahneen Dencker

How could a girl growing up in Fort Dodge, Iowa end up with a name of Rajahneen?  Before I could do the rest of the interview, I needed an answer to this question. Turns out Raj had an aunt who enjoyed a particular novel from an India author and convinced Raj’s parents that Rajahneen would be an appropriate tag. Raj said she enjoys her uniqueness of her name.

Raj is married to Karl, who is President of District 8 and also directs the Thursday game in Elgin. They have two children, a son and a daughter, who live in the immediate area, and enjoy the company of their three grandchildren. The Thursday game usually has 15 to 17 tables and part of its success is the delicious food made and provided by Raj.

The Dencker’s, due to Karl's job, have moved a lot. Raj said they have lived in Atlanta, Georgia, Denver CO, New Jersey, Winnetka IL and finally their present home in Lake in the Hills. Many years ago, while in Atlanta, they started taking bridge lessons. Raj said their instructor was as slow as molasses and as exciting as watching paint dry on a wall. They muddled through it and learned Goren Bridge. Then about ten years ago they got involved and hooked on duplicate bridge. Raj finally earned the few needed silver points at the Rockford Sectional this past September to earn the title of Life Master. Her advice to other players is that it’s only a game, enjoy it and don’t take it too seriously.

When Raj is not playing bridge, she might be involved with some her other interests. Raj and Karl enjoy live shows and they have season passes to four of the theaters in Chicago. Raj also does volunteer work for the food pantry at their church, and in the past also donated her time and talents to the Art Institute of Chicago and the local Boy Scout troop. At the present time, Raj is a delegate to our District 8 Board. Although bridge is one of Raj’s passions, her life appears to be fulfilled by a variety of other interests.

The Changing Scene . . .

New Junior Masters: Ned Furst, Freeport;  Jack Torney,  Winnebago;  Bart Machaj, Geneva;  Joyce Nimocks, Rockford,  Marilyn Wood, Geneva.

New Club Masters: Pamela Krisak, St. Charles;  Judith Picus, Rockford;  Marian finnberg, Crystal Lake;  Peder Finnberg, Crystal Lake;   Bobbie King, St Charles;  Janet Zimmerman, Huntley.

New Sectional Masters: Jayant Kadakia, Huntley;  Susan Hillberry, Cherry Valley;  Robert Larson, Roscoe;  Raymond Paul, Rockford;  Patricia Reed, Machesney Park;  Mary Snyder, Cherry Valley;  Vicki Vietti, Cary.

New Regional Masters:  Chander Aiyar, Huntley,  Naomi Cartwright, Huntley;  Ron Carey, Rockford;  Richard Gunderson, Earlville;  Robert Lambert, Lake in the Hills;  Mary Simonson, Sarasota, Fla.;  Charlene Whitney, Winnebago.

New NABC Master:  Tara Mufich, Rockford;  Patricia Olafson, Rockford.

New Life Masters:  Rajahneen Dencker, Lake in the Hills;  Robert Fraser, Crystal lake

New Bronze Life Master: Shirley Rogers, Ft. Meyers, Fla.;  Linda Shaw, Geneva;  Susan Tunelius, Winnebago.

Silver Life Master:  Nick Cordell, Yorkville;  Estelle Von Zellen, De Kalb.

Gold Life Master:  Kay Korte, Woodstock.

Tournaments:

Dec 26-29             Milwaukee WI Sectional, Best Western Airport Hotel

Dec 26-31             HOLIDAY REGIONAL -- Sheraton Convention Center, Overland Park KS