Kenneth Clare Lachmann

Kenneth C. (Ken) Lachmann left his earthly home to enter eternal life on March 20, 2023, at age 100. He was born to Philip and Mabel Lachmann on November 18, 1922, in their Conklin, Michigan farm home. Ken attended Conklin School and graduated from Coopersville H.S. He received 3 degrees in education from Michigan State University (BA 1950, MA 1954, and ED S 1964). Ken served in the Army from 1943 to 1946 and was a combat infantryman in the South Pacific Theater during WWII. His military awards included the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.

Ken moved to Farmington, MI in 1950 to begin his career as an elementary school educator. There he met his great love and helpmate, Wilma Brandenburg. They were married on August 9, 1952, and were blessed with three children: Peter, Heidi and Karla. In 1967, the family moved to Albuquerque where Ken continued to serve as an elementary school principal until his retirement in 1987.

Ken was a life member of the Michigan Education Association, National Education Association, Michigan and New Mexico Parent Teacher Associations, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He had also been a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Alpha Lamda Phi (The Lutheran Academy for Scholarship), and was a member of the American Legion. He served as president of the following groups Farmington (MI) Education Association, Michigan Education Association Region VII, MEA Region VII Elementary Schools Principals Association, Farmington (MI) Elementary Schools Principal Association, Albuquerque Principals Association, and New Mexico Association of Elementary School Principals. He was listed in two editions of Who's Who in American Education as well as Who's Who in the West. In 1985, a highlight of his career was being honored as a National Distinguished Principal which was awarded at a ceremony in Washington D.C.

After Ken's retirement, the Lachmanns spent their summers at their cabin in the shadow of Brazos Cliff. They also spent more time traveling, which allowed them to spend more time with their extended families. Ken also volunteered at the VA Hospital logging over 4,000 service hours.
Ken was an active member of several Lutheran churches throughout his life. It was his great pleasure to serve in many roles within the church including teaching Sunday School at every level from kindergarten through adults. Ken was an avid gardener and even managed to keep his cabin woods well groomed. He was a lifelong lover of reading and literature and could tell a compelling story. In his later years, he wrote many stories about his family and his Army experiences.

Ken is survived by his children, Peter (Lisa) and Heidi; grandsons, PJ (Nicole) and Jeremy (Mariah); sister, Marcia (Dan) French; sister-in-law, Naomi Brandenburg; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Ken was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Wilma; daughter, Karla; siblings, Philip, Doris, Wilma (Bernie) Bennink, Gordon, Myrna (Hilmer) Pike and Paul; siblings in-law, Edith (Eddie) King, Lowell (Rose) Brandenburg, Glendon Brandenburg, Miriam Brandenburg, and Hildred Hart.

A private interment service will be held on Tuesday, May 30 at Sandia Memory Gardens. If desired, memorial donations may be made to The Storehouse, 106 Broadway Blvd., SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102.