Lorraine H Beardemphl

March 15, 1935 - December 11, 2023

Obituary

Lorraine Hattie (Schmick) Beardemphl passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 11, 2023, in Burien, WA at 88 years old. She was born March 15, 1935, in Endicott, WA to Conrad and Hattie (Meineke) Schmick. She was the youngest of seven children and lived on the family homestead until her father retired when she was seven and they moved to town – first Endicott for three years then Colfax until she graduated from Colfax High School in the class of 1954. She loved her family dearly and was so happy whenever a relative visited. She looked forward every year to the Schmick Easter Reunion. Preceded in death by her husband Dr. Robert Lyle Beardemphl (2004), her son Mark Robert Beardemphl (2012), her parents Conrad and Hattie Schmick (of Colfax, WA), her in-laws Lyle and Amsel Beardemphl (of Grangeville, ID), and her six siblings: Byron Schmick, Ray Schmick, Edith Benner, Don Schmick, Dorothy Nicley, and Lloyd Schmick.

Survived by her son Eric Beardemphl, wife Jessy and sons Jake Robert and Nicholas of West Seattle, WA; daughter Lori Toth, husband Klaus and sons Torsten, Bode, and Hayden of Seahurst, WA; daughter Vicki Helbig Beardemphl and partner Harry Helbig of Mount Vernon, WA; and daughter-in-law Debbie (Gagner) Beardemphl and son Austin of Des Moines, WA. Her six grandsons brought her the greatest joy in life, and she adored each one.

Lorraine graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA in 1957 with an education degree. She played the clarinet and was in the PLU marching band until her father decided she was spending more time with the band then studying so it was short lived😊. She made lifelong friends at PLU and continued a friendship with them for well over 60 years. Her passion was children and she loved being a schoolteacher. She had a special way with children that came naturally to her and any kid in the room would gravitate towards her. This gift of hers helped many troubled youths gain confidence at critical times and the number of her past students that reached out to thank her as adults was touching. Her first teaching job out of college was with the Highline School District in West Seattle. She and her roommate knocked on the neighbor’s door and asked the two handsome guys inside if they would help move the sofa. One of these gentlemen, a fellow teacher named Bob Beardemphl, who not only helped moved the sofa but also asked them out to dinner and the rest, as they say is history. They were married June 17, 1959, and raised four children together in South Seattle. They lived a happy life together and had many great friends and numerous adventures and were fortunate to take many trips overseas. Lorraine’s last teaching job before retirement was at Whittier Elementary School in Everett, WA where she taught second grade for 9 years. Her favorite teaching position where she felt she made the biggest difference was when she helped run the At Risk and Drop Out Program for the Highline School District. The number of troubled students she helped get back on track in this ten-year span was impressive. She was a remarkable teacher.

Lorraine was a positive and kind person who saw the best in others. She woke up happy and every morning she would awaken her children by singing a happy tune. She was dedicated to her family and always put them first. She loved ice cream, playing bridge, going to Lutheran church, talking on the telephone with friends, playing slot machines at casinos (and winning), and keeping a white glove ready perfectly clean home that riveled her sister Dorothy’s (the home economics major).

Please join Lorraine’s family and celebrate ‘A Life Well Lived’ on Friday, January 12, 2024, 11:30 AM @

Bonney Watson Funeral Home

16445 International Blvd.

Sea-Tac, WA 98188

(206) 242-1787