Lynnette Diericks

Lynnette Kay Diericks, better known as ‘Senorita Diericks’ to the thousands of students she taught during her long teaching career, passed away on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at her home in Watertown, WI after struggling with various health issues. 

Lynnette was born on February 14, 1970, exactly two years after her older sister and dear friend Kim. The sisters celebrated their ‘Valentine Birthdays’ together, along with family and friends. Lynnette was born with Turner’s Syndrome, discovered by her doctors in her adolescent years. Her determination, courage, and strong will helped her persevere through difficult medical issues and achieve much success.

Lynnette was caring and thoughtful to all, even from an early age. She was a popular babysitter for many and became dear friends of the children and their families in her mother’s home day care, often babysitting for those families on weekends and summers. She taught Bible School and was active in the 4-H club, student council, yearbook editor, forensics, chorus, musicals and pep band. As the girls’ basketball team manager, she was THRILLED when the team went to State at the Field House in Madison. Lynnette earned numerous awards and recognition for her academic achievements and community involvement including school spelling bee champion, American Legion Award, DAR Award (Daughters of the American Revolution), Badger Girls State, and the Trotta Award. She graduated with honors from Waunakee High School in 1988. 

From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a teacher. Lynnette attended UW-Whitewater where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish. While at Whitewater, she served as an RA (resident assistant) and met many life-long friends.

She taught middle school Spanish in Oregon, WI, and then English and Spanish at St. Catherine Drexel Catholic School in Beaver Dam. Later, she moved to Green Bay, where she initially served as a bilingual elementary school teacher and later was a “shared” Spanish teacher between two Catholic schools. Lynnette’s dedication to helping students continued during summer as well, working for UMOS (United Migrant Opportunity Services) and teaching Summer School classes. After several years of study, she earned her Master’s Degree in ESL (English as a Second Language). 

For the last 10 years, Lynnette taught Spanish and served students in the ESL program in Waterloo, WI, where she developed deep connections with staff, students, and families. She helped students improve their Spanish skills and master the English language while developing lasting friendships.

Lynnette enjoyed traveling and visited Australia, Spain, and Mexico. She loved going to Las Vegas and other cities to see and hear her favorite singer, Celine Dion. She knew all the lines and songs in “The Sound of Music” and the words to many Kenny Rogers’ songs. Lynnette loved Christmas and gift-giving.

Despite many health issues over the years including kidney stones, vision and hearing problems, and a stroke 8 years ago (all symptoms of Turner’s Syndrome), Lynnette persevered. But now, God saw her suffering and called her home. She is no longer in pain and is reunited in heaven with her dear mother--her biggest advocate, confidant, and friend whom she missed so very much.

Lynnette is survived by her loving and devoted father, Kenneth Diericks of Waunakee; her beloved sister Kim (Mark) Pilgrim of Sun Prairie, WI; Aunts Marianne Diericks of Newport, MN and Shirley L’Eplattenier of Menasha, WI; Uncles David (Sue) Diericks of Tucson, AZ; Brad (Barbara) Vlasak of Baraboo, WI; and Jeff Vlasak of Norwalk, WI, many cousins, and her god-daughter Morgan Holtzman.

She is preceded in death by her cherished mother, Sharon Diericks; grandparents Raymond and Bernadette Diericks and Wesley and Florence Vlasak; Aunt and Godmother Marilyn Kesselhon, and Uncle J.J. L’Eplattenier.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on Sat. October 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the start of the mass. Also, visitation will be Friday, October 11, 2024, at Winn-Cress Funeral Home 5785 Hwy Q in Waunakee from 5:00 p.m.to 7:00 p.m. Burial will take place in the church cemetery. 

Winn-Cress Funeral Home 

Waunakee, WI