Laura N Erwin

Obituary Laura N. Zink Erwin Laura N. Zink Erwin Age 96, of Tacoma, WA, went to be with her Lord on Nov. 8, 2013. The daughter of the late Karl and Anna Brockmueller, Laura was born on Nov. 8, 1917 in Irene, SD. Her education began in the Plainview country school near Irene, SD. After high school she went to teachers college in Bemidji, MN. She taught two years, and then continued her education at Northwest Nazarene College, Nampa, ID, where she received her BA degree. In 1945 she was married to Howard E. Zink in Nampa, ID. The couple had three sons. They were divorced in 1973. While teaching, she obtained her MA degree in Special Education at the University of Oregon, Eugene, OR. She taught Standard Elementary, Special Education, and remedial reading. She was the first teacher of the Merilyn School, Caldwell, ID, for severely disabled children. She was involved in organizations of National Education, National Reading, and National Council for Exceptional Children. While teaching, she wrote stories and plays in which the students performed. Some of the stories and plays were published. Since retirement she enjoyed tutoring children, church work, writing, being the neighborhood cookie grandma, and traveling. In 1994, at the age of 76, she married Howard L. Erwin, who preceded her in death in 1998. Although their time together was short, it was full of blessings, and his children and their families became a special addition to her life. Laura is survived by her three sons, Robert (Carla) Zink of Lake Oswego, OR, Terrence (Cheryl) Zink of Nampa, ID, and Fred (Connie) ByZinker of Tacoma, WA, 9 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by 7 brothers and 2 sisters. Interment at Kohlerlawn Cemetery, Nampa, ID.