Obituary for Sherrill Ellmers Brakmeier
Sherrill Ellmers Brakmeier, 97,passed away Friday, March 13, 2020, surrounded by family. A native of Louisville, KY, she was humbly born above the bakery at 26th and Market Streets in 1922. The daughter of a baker and a secretary, who, through hard work, determination, dedication and the love of a university, became a guiding light for male and female athletes and students for nearly 5 decades at her alma mater, the University of Louisville.
She received her BA degree in Physical Education in 1944. As a student, she was a 4-year member and letter winner of women’s varsity sports including field hockey, basketball, softball and volleyball. During her college years , Sherrill worked for the Louisville Parks Department as a community center activities leader and during the summers as a playground leader. She also had a deep commitment to the underprivileged youth of our community and volunteered at various social services agencies such as the Cabbage Patch Settlement House, Neighborhood House and Wesley Community Center that continued through her life. She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority.
Upon graduation, she joined the department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) at U of L as a faculty member. She taught everything from fencing and bowling to archery, square-dancing and physical fitness, served as an academic adviser and became a beloved mentor to students. Later in her tenure, she developed and administered the Recreation Education major program that educated students to become recreation directors for the many playgrounds, parks, nursing homes and community centers throughout the city and the state.
Mrs. B served as head coach of the Field Hockey team for more than 25 years. Coaching Field Hockey was her true love along with preparing young women for life after college. She was a pioneer in women’s athletics, paving the way for many who followed.
Professionally, she was President of the Kentucky Association for Health Physical Education and Recreation (KAHPER), and was on the Board of Directors of Kentucky Women’s Intercollegiate Conference (KWIC). She was faculty adviser to various groups including Mortar Board, Cheerleaders, and Pep Club and trained students and volunteers to work with Special Olympics and Easter Seal Society participants.
Upon retirement, she continued to serve the University as a loaned executive to the United Way and the U of L Cares Program and as a volunteer coordinator at the University Club. She could also be found in the press box at field hockey games every year. She would entertain players with tales of “the old days” in women’s sports, like having to cut the grass, line the field, fill the water jugs and wash the uniforms herself.
Sherrill Brakmeier, has the distinction of being the first woman to be inducted into the University of Louisville Athletic Hall of Fame and is a long time member of the L-Club. She received many awards and honors including Outstanding Alumni Award - UL, Allen Society Award - Metro United Way, Oppenheimer Funds Big East Coach’s Achievement Award
U of L was second only to her family. Mom was a mom in every sense of the word and to more than just her own children. She gave to everyone unselfishly and non-judgmentally. She never met a stranger nor let you feel like one. Everyone was welcome and there was ALWAYS room for “one more”. Many great times were spent at the family's beloved river house, celebrating the joy of family and friends.
She was active in her churches, West Louisville United Church of Christ and Beargrass Christian Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Virginia and Edwin Ellmers; her husband of 56 years, George Brakmeier, Jr.; her nephew, Tom Gardner; her sister-in-law, Rose Gardner (Hoyt) and her sister-in-law, Betty Ellmers.
Sherrill is survived by her brother, “Skip” Ellmers; her two children, Sherrill Zimmerman (Lee) and George Brakmeier, III (Pam); 3 grandchildren, George Brakmeier IV (Meghan), Kim Brakmeier, and Nathan Zimmerman; 2 great-grandchildren Hailey Hubbs and George “Quinn” Brakmeier, V; 1 niece; 4 nephews and many students who called her “Mom” or “Mrs. B”.
Visitation will be Tuesday, March 17, 2020 from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Rd. and on Wednesday, March 18, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at Beargrass Christian Church, 4100 Shelbyville Rd. with the funeral to follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Cave Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Sherrill Brakmeier Endowed Scholarship, University Advancement, University of Louisville, 2323 S. Brook St. 40292, checks payable to U of L Foundation
She loved life and she loved for everyone to have fun!
Funeral services will be streamed online on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at 11:00am. Visit facebook.com/beargrasschristianchurch
She received her BA degree in Physical Education in 1944. As a student, she was a 4-year member and letter winner of women’s varsity sports including field hockey, basketball, softball and volleyball. During her college years , Sherrill worked for the Louisville Parks Department as a community center activities leader and during the summers as a playground leader. She also had a deep commitment to the underprivileged youth of our community and volunteered at various social services agencies such as the Cabbage Patch Settlement House, Neighborhood House and Wesley Community Center that continued through her life. She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority.
Upon graduation, she joined the department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) at U of L as a faculty member. She taught everything from fencing and bowling to archery, square-dancing and physical fitness, served as an academic adviser and became a beloved mentor to students. Later in her tenure, she developed and administered the Recreation Education major program that educated students to become recreation directors for the many playgrounds, parks, nursing homes and community centers throughout the city and the state.
Mrs. B served as head coach of the Field Hockey team for more than 25 years. Coaching Field Hockey was her true love along with preparing young women for life after college. She was a pioneer in women’s athletics, paving the way for many who followed.
Professionally, she was President of the Kentucky Association for Health Physical Education and Recreation (KAHPER), and was on the Board of Directors of Kentucky Women’s Intercollegiate Conference (KWIC). She was faculty adviser to various groups including Mortar Board, Cheerleaders, and Pep Club and trained students and volunteers to work with Special Olympics and Easter Seal Society participants.
Upon retirement, she continued to serve the University as a loaned executive to the United Way and the U of L Cares Program and as a volunteer coordinator at the University Club. She could also be found in the press box at field hockey games every year. She would entertain players with tales of “the old days” in women’s sports, like having to cut the grass, line the field, fill the water jugs and wash the uniforms herself.
Sherrill Brakmeier, has the distinction of being the first woman to be inducted into the University of Louisville Athletic Hall of Fame and is a long time member of the L-Club. She received many awards and honors including Outstanding Alumni Award - UL, Allen Society Award - Metro United Way, Oppenheimer Funds Big East Coach’s Achievement Award
U of L was second only to her family. Mom was a mom in every sense of the word and to more than just her own children. She gave to everyone unselfishly and non-judgmentally. She never met a stranger nor let you feel like one. Everyone was welcome and there was ALWAYS room for “one more”. Many great times were spent at the family's beloved river house, celebrating the joy of family and friends.
She was active in her churches, West Louisville United Church of Christ and Beargrass Christian Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Virginia and Edwin Ellmers; her husband of 56 years, George Brakmeier, Jr.; her nephew, Tom Gardner; her sister-in-law, Rose Gardner (Hoyt) and her sister-in-law, Betty Ellmers.
Sherrill is survived by her brother, “Skip” Ellmers; her two children, Sherrill Zimmerman (Lee) and George Brakmeier, III (Pam); 3 grandchildren, George Brakmeier IV (Meghan), Kim Brakmeier, and Nathan Zimmerman; 2 great-grandchildren Hailey Hubbs and George “Quinn” Brakmeier, V; 1 niece; 4 nephews and many students who called her “Mom” or “Mrs. B”.
Visitation will be Tuesday, March 17, 2020 from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Rd. and on Wednesday, March 18, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at Beargrass Christian Church, 4100 Shelbyville Rd. with the funeral to follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Cave Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Sherrill Brakmeier Endowed Scholarship, University Advancement, University of Louisville, 2323 S. Brook St. 40292, checks payable to U of L Foundation
She loved life and she loved for everyone to have fun!
Funeral services will be streamed online on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at 11:00am. Visit facebook.com/beargrasschristianchurch