Kathleen Rae Dillenbeck

Kathleen Rae (Tunning) Dillenbeck, age 81, of Lawrenceville, GA, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Infinite Care Home in Flowery Branch, GA, after a battle with cancer.

She was born May 20,1945, in Corning, New York, a daughter of the late Charles and Ethelyn Tunning.

She began her education across the road from her home at Gang Mills Elementary School. She later graduated from Painted Post High School and finished her education at Houghton College, earning her teaching degree in German and Social Studies.

While attending college, she met her soulmate, Mark J. Dillenbeck. They were married for 35 years. They shared so many interests together: woodworking, camping, visiting all the National Parks, and riding motorcycles through the mountains of Pennsylvania.

Kathleen was a lifelong learner, avid reader, and author who wrote numerous poems and short stories for family and friends. To honor the special women in her life she compiled the many delicious recipes from her aunts and created the “Gang Mills Cooks”book. She embraced technology, and accepted a computer programming position in Brandon, Florida where she worked until her retirement. She was the genuine DIY person in the family, building her first home in Canandaigua, NY, rebuilding a car engine, assembling furniture and patio grills.

She loved the Lord, her family, and especially her nieces and nephews who cherished her friendship, her humor and her competitive spirit. “Good Eats” and “Fun” were always on the agenda with Aunt Kathy and Uncle Mark.

Kathleen was predeceased by her mother (Ethelyn Tunning), and husband (Mark Dillenbeck). She is survived by her brothers Jeff Tunning (Lawrenceville, GA) and Ray Tunning (Milan, TN), and many nieces and nephews across the country.

No service is currently planned. Her desire was to be buried beside her husband Mark in the Central Valley Cemetery, in Hornby, New York. A Celebration of Life Luncheon will be planned for a future date.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to a charity of your choice in memory of her.