Hope Lutheran’s fond farewell to veteran teacher

For more than 40 years, Elois Gruenhagen has taught at Hope Lutheran – but now, it’s time to pull back, so she got a big sendoff today at a special reception after the 10:30 service, cakes and all:

As the church newsletter explained:

Elois has taught several generations of first-grade students at Hope, teaching the children of students who were at one time in her first-grade class, as well as having several of Hope’s current teachers as her first-grade students.

The newsletter also noted that her retirement follows the death of her husband last fall as well as some health challenges, but she’s not leaving Hope entirely – she’ll do some part-time library work.

5 Replies to "Hope Lutheran's fond farewell to veteran teacher"

  • bsmomma May 16, 2010 (8:30 pm)

    Awwwwwwwww, I wish I would have known! She was my 1st grade teacher! She gsve me the love of plants! Especially the Sensitive plant. Still amazes me!

  • JeffGilbert May 16, 2010 (9:25 pm)

    40 years!!! You’re the best Mrs. Gruenhagen! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

  • andrea May 17, 2010 (11:08 am)

    Mrs. Gruenhagen was my 1st grade teacher too (some 25 years ago!). I can still pick out the African violets after her class, as well as recite all the words to the book ‘Chicken Soup With Rice.’ She was/is a fabulous teacher. Thank you Mrs. Gruenhagen!

  • SEG May 17, 2010 (12:53 pm)

    AWE my 1st grade teacher too! I always think about her when I see a African Violet :-)

  • tanya May 17, 2010 (10:21 pm)

    This woman is the best ever! She taught so many children how to read…and I also remember Chicken Soup with Rice! I still have the copy from first grade at Hope!

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