Walter E. Lelinski

Walt Lelinski died Friday, December 30, 2011 after a long illness. He was born in Cle Elum, WA on July 31, 1927 to John Lelinski and Mary (Tokarsyck) Lelinski. Upon his death, he was described as funny, kind, loving, a great dancer, and as his grandchildren’s “biggest fan”.Walt served as an Army intelligence officer in South Korea and graduated from Central Washington College in the spring of 1951. On August 18th of that year, Walt married his high school sweetheart Helene Mataya and moved to Kirkland to join her as a teacher in the Lake Washington School District. He taught at Central Elementary, Kirkland Junior High School, Lake Washington High School and Redmond High, where he was the head football and basketball coach during the school’s inaugural years. Walt was first and foremost an educator, specializing in geography, history and physical education. He had a unique ability to help students feel capable and confident. As a coach, he believed if he could develop a young person’s athletic ability, the self-assurance gained would help them succeed in every other aspect of their life. He earned his Masters of Education from the University of Washington in 1966. After serving as a guidance counselor at Redmond High School, he was promoted to Vice Principal at Lake Washington High School, helped launch the alternative BEST High School, and was Director of Student Services at Lake Washington Vocational Technical Institute until his retirement in 1982. Walt was preceded in death by his wife Helene. He is survived by daughter Janis Larson, son-in-law Steve Larson and granddaughter Christina Larson; daughter Debi Lelinski and grandsons J.J. Kotalik and Steven Kotalik; his sister Clara Krebs; and companion and “best buddy” LaVerne Ferguson and her son, daughter and granddaughters Hannah and Megan.A reception to celebrate Walt’s life will be held Thursday, January 12, 7:00pm and a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, January 13 at 11:00am, both at Holy Family Parish, 7045 120th Avenue NE, Kirkland, WA, 98033. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Walt Lelinski Memorial Fund, Roslyn Ronald Cle Elum Heritage Club, P.O. Box 5, South Cle Elum, WA 98943.