Marie Annell Korsmo's Obituary
Marie Annell KorsmoMarie Annell Korsmo, 80, born in Mankato, MN, on October 31, 1923, passed away in Tacoma on August 7, 2004. Marie was an innovative elementary educator who served in the Franklin Pierce School District for over 40 years as a teacher, elementary counselor, education specialist and ultimately as principal. During that time she wrote a grant to fund the Head Start Program at Parkland School, earning her the title of  mother of Head StartÂ' in the district. In recognition of her dedicated service she received the Award for Professional Excellence from WWU in 1987. Marie was the oldest of three children of Herman O. and Augusta Hornnes. Marie graduated from Mankato HS in 1941, and after one year of TeacherÂ's College she was selected to teach grades 1-8 in a rural Minnesota school. In 1944 she received a diploma from Mankato State TeacherÂ's College. She met Clifford M. Korsmo on her uncleÂ's farm in Nicollet County, MN and they were married in Parkland on August 4, 1944 when he was stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Base. After WWII, they settled in Parkland, WA where she continued in pre-school and elementary education. She earned a BA from PLU in 1961 and a Masters in Education from UPS in 1969. She taught and counseled for many years at Parkland School where she was very involved in helping future teachers by mentoring both PLU and UPS students. She was principal at Midland School from 1980 until the school closed in 1982. Then she became principal at James Sales Elementary School and remained there until retirement in 1989. She has been active in Trinity Lutheran Church, St. MarkÂ's Lutheran Church, as well as the WEA, National Association of Elementary Principals and Assoc. for Washington School Principals. Marie is survived by spouse Clifford M. Korsmo and children Karen Vigeland (George), Mark (Janice), Wayne (Chris), Dale (Teri) and Elise Michaels (Paul Richard), and seven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Harriet and brother H. Lloyd Hornnes. MarieÂ's smile, determination and faith in the Lord will live in our hearts forever. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at St. MarkÂ's Lutheran Church on Thursday, August 12, 2004 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers/gifts the family requests that donations be sent to St. Mark's Memorial Fund: 6730 N 17th St. Tacoma, WA 98406.
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