David Hemme

David Hemme passed peacefully at his home in Burien WA to his heavenly home on January 10, 2024  following a debilitating illness.  Dave was born on Dec 2, 1942 in Detroit, MI to Albert and Mae Hemme.  After Albert returned from service in the Navy during WWII, Dave’s brother Gary was born. Later the family moved to Bakersfield, CA, where Dave completed elementary and high school.  Dave graduated from Concordia Teachers College in Seward, NE in 1965 with a BS in education, and a MA in Mathematics from Western Michigan University in 1969.  Dave met Mathilda who would become the love of his life while attending Concordia.  They married at St John’s Lutheran church in her home town of Groton, SD on July 16, 1966.

Dave’s teaching career in Lutheran schools included Lincoln Lutheran Middle School, Minneapolis Lutheran High School, Lutheran HS La Verne, CA and Seattle Lutheran HS.  He later taught math at South Seattle, Highline and Shoreline Colleges as an adjunct instructor.  Later in his life he tutored math in his home, at Highline Tutoring and Testing Center and volunteered at local schools and libraries. He designed math puzzles for use in tutoring to make learning math fun. In addition to teaching math, Dave enjoyed playing math related games with his children while they grew up, as well as with fellow residents of Boulevard Park Place in retirement.

Dave loved the outdoors, especially hiking and backpacking in the mountains in his younger years.  A station wagon and tent trailer took the family on affordable vacations to visit family in Missouri, Utah and California, finding caverns and mountains to explore along the way.  Dave and the family were active members on the Mountaineers.  The kids learned to ski in the winter and hike in the summer while the family stayed and helped at Snoqualmie and Mt Baker Mountaineer lodges.  As Dave’s mobility declined, cruising became the vacation mode of choice.  Cruising became a comfortable way to visit Alaska, Mexico, Hawaii, New England, Canada and Panama Canal.

Dave joined the Lions Club of West Seattle, after daughter Kristin and later Mary were awarded scholarships by the Lions club.  He saw it as a way to give back and serve in the community.  Dave was a member and volunteer at Hope Lutheran Church for over 45 years.

Dave is survived by Mathilda, his loving wife of 57 years;  brother Gary (Susan) Hemme; four children: Kristin (Juan) Gimelli Hemme; Mark (Jen) Hemmeyer; Sarah (John) Allen; Mary (Zach) Zornes.  Grandchildren include: David and Ana Fin Gimelli Hemme; Paul, Ash and Gabriel Hemmeyer; Josiah, Zion and James Zornes. Step grandchildren include:  Andy Whitmyre; Brant, Aubre, and Taylor Allen.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 am on March 9, at Hope Lutheran Church, West Seattle, with a reception following.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to:  Hope Lutheran Church (to help fund the purchase of the former Seattle Lutheran High School building now named, Hope North), 4456 42nd Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116; or to Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation (in gratefulness for the help provided to enable us to care for Dave at home in his final days), 2811 S 102nd Street, Suite 220, Tukwila, WA 98168.

- Care Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home -

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