Lola Krumm

June 25, 1917 ~ May 6, 2010
Lola G. Krumm age 92 of New Hampton died Thursday evening, May 6, 2010, at the New Hampton Care Center.
The funeral for Lola Krumm will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 11, at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hampton with burial at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Newhall at 3 p.m.
Visitation will be from 4 – 7 pm on Monday, May 10 at Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home, New Hampton and one hour before services at the church.
Lola Rose was born June 25, 1917, the first child of William and Elfriede Werning Grovert of Newhall, Iowa. The ethics derived from being raised in a principled, multi-generational German family served Lola well throughout her life. Her love of all things musical can be traced to the Grovert clan’s appreciation for and practice of the art. Her commitment to a faith-based life stemmed from the family’s involved affiliation with the Lutheran Church. Lola’s enthusiasm for her own education and that of others was likewise rooted in her parents’ example of hard work and self improvement.
After graduating from high school at the age of 16, Lola attended Iowa State Teachers College (now U.N.I.) before transferring to Coe College in Cedar Rapids. Her plan of specializing in instrumental music with the goal of becoming a school band instructor was not endorsed by her college advisors, however. At the time (1930’s), a career as a band director was effectively closed to women. Lola persistently registered for as many music education courses as possible. During those undergraduate years, she taught private music lessons and was also involved in teaching members of a municipal rhythm band. In 1941, Lola graduated from Coe with a BA degree in music.
The onset of a shortage of men band instructors due to the increasing military draft leading up to WWII provided the opportunity Lola had been hoping for. She was hired to fill the position of grades 4-12 Instrumental Band and Orchestra Instructor by the Conrad Consolidated Schools in Conrad Iowa. During that first year, Lola received two salary increases as a result of her skill in assuming duties not usually assigned to women. This opportunistic experience was just the first in a highly successful 53 year career as a music educator.
Lola went on to serve as music/band/orchestra/vocal instructor for a variety of grade levels in the Louisville, Kentucky and Coggon, Newhall, Reinbeck, Rudd-Rockford- Marble Rock, and Charles City, Iowa, School Districts. She designed and implemented the first “pre-instrument” program for the Charles City School District where she oversaw the development of over 300 budding musicians.
Over the years, Lola’s bands achieved no less than three highly-competitive appearances at the Iowa Bandmasters Association Conventions and in 1979, she was nominated for Teacher of the Year by the Charles City School District. Outside the classroom, Lola served in a variety positions for local Education Associations and the Iowa Bandmasters Association. She was a member of the Phi Chapter of the Alpha Delta Kappa International Sorority of Women Educators in Charles City.
On June 27, 1942, Lola Grovert married Milton B. Krumm at the Concordia Lutheran Church in Louisville, Kentucky where Milt was serving in the U.S. Army. Also a native of Newhall, Iowa, Milt liked to joke that he had first met Lola “when she was born”. Mr. Krumm was an educator and school administrator. Lola and Milt’s only child, Michael, was born in 1949. He, too, became an educator and school administrator. Milton Krumm died in 1978 while employed as Principal at New Hampton High School.
Lola’s faith was witnessed not only by her loyal church attendance but by her dedicated participation in programs and activities as well. A life-long member of the Lutheran Church, she had been a member of Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA) since moving to New Hampton in 1956. The church membership benefitted from Lola’s musical expertise in her role as choir director. She organized and directed the first bell choir which enhances Trinity services and performs in a variety of community venues to this day. Lola served on the church council and was a delegate for Trinity at synod conventions. Sunday School Teacher and Bible Study Leader are only two of the other official roles she assumed. The parish community benefitted from other “unofficial” activities as well. Lola initiated a systematic plan to supply and place flowers on the church altar and a similar effort resulted in the organization and cleaning of the parish hall kitchen.
Lola is well-known in New Hampton for her involvement in and support of numerous community initiatives from the restoration of City’s vintage band shell to her patronage of the Don’t Quit Your Day Job Band. Lola was one of the founders of the Carnegie Cultural Center in New Hampton and served on its board of directors until the time of her death. As Chairperson of Volunteer Management, she hosted her committee…whom she affectionately referred to as “my girls”…at a monthly luncheon to establish work schedules and share stories. Lola was always present to welcome visitors at Cultural Center events, making sure everyone signed the guest book and giving personal tours of the facility.
Lola’s commitment to community values and Christian ethics was also felt on a more individual, private level. More than one person benefitted from her generosity in a time of need. Specific needs of local organizations would likewise be quietly met. Persons mentioned in the local media for positive achievements would often receive further encouragement in the form of a congratulatory note and a copy of the news article from Lola.
Her penchant for story telling entertained us while enriching our own experiences. She was and is loved and respected by her extended family for whom she exhibited much pride and affection and by the broader community as well. Lola’s vibrant presence will be greatly missed by all.
Lola is survived by her son, Michael (Melinda) Krumm, Kewaskum, WI and three grandchildren, Marcy, Andrew and Amy, and two great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her brothers, Donald (Joan) Grovert, Newhall, IA and Dale (Dortha) Grovert , Winter Springs, FL; nieces Susan (William) Much, Newhall, IA, and Patricia (Michael) Creech, Kemah TX; nephews William (Susan) Grovert, Cedar Rapids, IA, and Stuart Grovert, Ala Monte Springs, FL; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. She was precede in death by her parents, William and Elfriede Grovert and her husband, Milton Krumm.
My condolences to Michael and family upon the passing of your mother. I had the privilege of being a band and chorus member in Rudd High School 1957 and 1958, the last years before unification moved the high school students to Rockford. She was a most inspiring teacher. She had a wonderful sense of humor and at the same time she did not tolerate nonsense. Every student that I know from Rudd has always spoken of her with highest regard. Her legacy includes the multitude of students that she inspired over the years. May God Be With You and Your Family!
Mrs. Krumm taught me to play the clarinet when I was in 5th grade at Reinbeck, IA. She has been my ideal of a teacher/band director ever since. She is a shining childhood memory and was a great lady!
Michael and family, I am so sorry for your loss – someone I fondly remember as Mrs. Krumm. She was my grade school music teacher in Charles City and someone who nurtured and supported my love of music. I can still clearly recall a summer music lesson – clarinet – where she noted that I hadn’t been practicing. Let’s just say I got back to business after that lesson! She was such an inspiration to so many and will be truly missed. It was a blessing to have known her. Kira Tjaden Oregon
I am so so sorry to have read of Lola’s passing. She was a very good friend to me during my 10 and a half years of working forTrinity Lutheran church. She was an inspiration to me and I will miss her dearly. She was an awesome friend and always had stories to share in the workroom. Please accept my condolences to you and your family.
Lola was one of the most respected members of the Reinbeck Consolidated School District during my high school years (1953-1957). She expected much of her instrumental band members – and got it. We were rewarded for her efforts over and over again with our high ratings at competition at all levels. She was a lady of class and taught us to be better than we ever thought possible. One of my heroes. May God bless.
Mike and family, You probably do not remember me. My father owned the mens clothing store in Reinbeck and your mother was my instructor and band director. She was very good at her job and because of her I played in the Wartburg College Concert band for four years and after college I played for many years in the Rend Lake Civic Symphony. I continue to play only occasionally today. Your mother was a very good person and a wonderful band director. She accepted only our best and because of that we had a lot of success. I want you to know that I am very sorry to hear of her death and that I am thinking of you. Sincerely, Judy Robinson Hicks
You have my condolences in the passing of Lola. Lola and I shared the same rooms in the RRM school system many years ago. I taught art in the room on the days Lola was not there…..in all three elementary schools. Eventually, my husband, John, and I moved to New Hampton and taught there. When our daughter, Sarah, drowned, we donated the memorial money to start the bell choir at Trinity. Lola was very helpful in setting up what was needed. Many others helped with additional donations to help it keep growing. Lola and Milt were good friends of mine and my husband for many years. Her presence will definitely be missed! I can hear the choirs singing in Heaven.
It has been many years since Mrs. Krumm was my music instructor at Rudd Junior High, but I still remember her as a very classy lady. (I graduated from RRMR in 1972.) I am sorry to hear of your loss.
I wish to send my condolences and also remembraanaces of what a great person Lola was. I taught home ec when Lola taught music at Coggon. Lola and Milt, Clarice Wolf and I all had rooms above Doctor Byers’s office on main street. We all shared one bathroom. Quite an experience. I remember how Lola loved all her students, the talented and the less talented. She was dedicated to education also the community. A wonderful gal. Bernita (Meier) Walker
Lola touched so many young lives in a positive and lasting way. I graduated from Reinbeck HS in 1956 where Lola and Milton both seved during all my HS school years. In 2001, Lola was our special guest at our class reunion. We will always remember her with aprreciation and love.
Lola was my favorite teacher at the Newhall School where I graduated from. I spent many hours under her tutelage as my piano teacher and band and music instructor. She was a great inspiration to me. I can well imagine how greatly missed she will be by her family and commu nity. My condolences to her family.
I lived across the street from the Groverts (Rital Sabastian home) growing up and Lola was my vocal, drum and piano teacher. The piano I use to this day all because of the lessons in the 2nd story house in Newhall. I remember her so fondly and my sympathy to her family
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Mike. I was started on the cornet in Reinbeck by your mom. She was always a mentor to me. I remember being a freshman at Drake University and that fall there was a band directors session and I ran into your mother. I had her come and direct my Frost MN band during a July 4 celebration in Reinbeck in front of the Congregational church. She was an inspiration to me and becoming a band director was a great part her doing. I remember how I shed tears when your mom and dad left Reinbeck after my 8th grade year. I probably drove her crazy when I would walk down to the corner of Park and ask her to put the Holst First Suite in Eb on the record player. I have many memories. We would go down to Nissen Drug store after a summer band concert rehearsal and sing ‘Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets.
Dear Mike Family, I am sorry hear about her mother.She will be missed with all her friends.I will miss her friendly smile on her face and her friendly talk. OUR PRAYERS WITH YOUR FAMILY AND GOD BLESS YOU GLORIA PARKS