Lynne Kolkmeyer Obituary

LYNNE KOLKMEYER Teacher (Age 64)
Lynne Kolkmeyer, an elementary school teacher for 30 years, died December 23, 2011 of cancer at home in Chevy Chase, MD with her mother and daughter by her side. She had prevailed over multiple cancers for more than a dozen years.Ms. Kolkmeyer is survived by her beloved, devoted daughter, Elizabeth Kolkmeyer Holcomb of Chevy Chase; her cherished mother, Maxine M. Kolkmeyer of Wauwatosa, WI; and her dear sisters, Lauren (Conrad) Schaefer, also of Wauwatosa and Kaye (Michael) Richert of Springfield, MN. She leaves also her dearest doppelganger for over 40 years, Laura Esikoff; her foul-weather friend, Deborah DeMille-Wagman and the support squadron from Wood Acres Elementary School.Ms. Kolkmeyer received B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Wisconsin and an M.S.T. from the University of Chicago. She taught in Bethesda at Wood Acres Elementary School, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), from 1993 to 2010. She previously taught at the University of Virginia, in the public schools of Dolton and Naperville, IL, at the Beauvoir and Holton-Arms Schools, and at Bel Pre Elementary School, also in MCPS.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 7 at St. Columba's Episcopal Church, 4201 Albemarle St., N.W., Washington, DC at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations to Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202 or www.heifer.org.www.COLLINSFUNERALHOME.com

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Published by The Washington Post from Dec. 30, 2011 to Jan. 1, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Lynne Kolkmeyer

8 Entries

Randy Spurlock RN

January 10, 2012

Elizabeth,
I am so sorry for your loss. I cared for your mother very much. She was very special. I have met very few with her intelligence, wit and strength. Over the last 1 1/2 years we laughed and cried together. She taught me many things during our conversations. She loves you so so much! I will continue to keep you in my prayers and will keep your mothers memory with me forever.

Joe Lilek

January 7, 2012

Ms. Kolkmeyer was the strongest teacher I've ever had. She was my fourth grade teacher from 2003-04. I have so many memories from her class-- writing fables, memorizing the presidents, reading Greek Myths, getting blue notes for forgetting homework. She was strict, but motivating.

I remember the day she sat us down on the carpet and explained to us that she had been diagnosed with cancer. We talked about it, she answered our questions, and she even laughed with us about her bald head. She never showed any weakness.

Ms. Kolkmeyer helped me grow to be a better person, and I'll never forget what she taught me. She will be sorely missed.

Lynn, Lauren and their Dad slide downhill

Paul Chadek

January 4, 2012

Time and distance separated our families, but will never extinguish my fond childhood memories.

Tricia Havenstein

January 4, 2012

I was a student in Ms. Kolkmeyer's 3rd grade class many years ago. I am now a teacher in Columbia SC and it is all due to her strict but loving teaching style. She is the sole reason I became a teacher. It was in 3rd grade when I was diagnosed with learning disabilities and with the help of Ms. K I was able to learn how to accept them, work with them and achieve great things. She never let me feel sorry for my self and has inspired me always to be the best. I will always remember her laugh, her corky ways and her speed walking during lunch time. I wish I had stayed in touch and wish I could attend her service. I send my thoughts and prayers to her family and want them to know that she will be truly missed. Ms. Kolkmeyer was truly one of those teachers who changed children's lives. I will forever be grateful for knowing her and having had her as my teacher.

Marti Weston

January 3, 2012

Lynne was smart, organized, engaging, and lots of fun to be with. Though the two of us lost touch over these past years, I have many great memories of Lynne recommending books, figuring out grad school expectations, talking about raising children, sharing ideas about teaching, swapping stories about politics, and much more.

We've lost a terrific and dedicated teacher, a generous friend, and a person who was committed to making the world a better place to live. Our prayers are with you, Elizabeth

Melanie Stern

January 1, 2012

I was a student in Ms. Kolkmeyer's fourth grade class from 2002-2003 and am now a freshman at Washington University in St. Louis. Today marks almost a decade since I've had her as a teacher, but Ms. Kolkmeyer's wisdom and strength remains so vivid in my memory. I can say, of all the teachers I've had through the years, Ms. Kolkmeyer is one to whom I owe the most. Learning by memory all the presidents in order, reciting “Oh the Places You'll Go” by Dr. Seuss for governor Ehrlich, saying goodbye in a different language each day, practicing her “Vanna White” method of learning equations with variables, and yes, even receiving blue notes, are just some, among countless memories that I will cherish forever. But Ms. Kolkmeyer's incredible drive and perseverance to help every student rise to the best of his or her ability, is, perhaps, what will stick with me the most. As a nine year old, I had little idea that her pain staking process of organizing our binders just the right way or our agonizing 100-word spelling tests would help me with so many other tasks down the road. Ms. Kolkmeyer not only taught me drive, determination and to strive for “poifection”, but ultimately, the ability to think, both analytically and creatively, for myself. Although Ms. Kolkmeyer is no longer physically with us, she will live on in the lives of the hundreds of students whom she touched.

Molly Day

January 1, 2012

Lynne was a smart fun woman. She student taught with me here in Chicago at The Ancona School. She was dedicated to her work with children. She was brave and spoke her mind. She cared deeply about things being fair and was articulate and logical. I admired the way she dealt with the many crazy difficult things that happened to her in her life. How fortunate she was to have you Elizabeth and your grandmother at her side during these final months. She has left us many memories.

Terri Noenickx

December 31, 2011

Elizabeth, it was an honor to work with your mom. She was such an incredible teacher and colleague. I hope you can take comfort in knowing that your mom touched so many lives, and made a huge difference to so many. I am so sorry for your loss.

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