Ruth Wohltjen, the first principal of Lutheran Elementary School, dies at 91

September 8, 2016 Jaime DeJesus

Photo courtesy of Facebook

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The Bay Ridge neighborhood has lost a beloved woman.

Ruth Wohltjen, the first principal of Lutheran Elementary School (LES), died on Saturday, August 20. Wohltjen was 91 years old.

Wohltjen grew up in Queens and attended Hunter College before becoming part of the of Lutheran Elementary School family in 1959. She is survived by nephews and nieces.

Kathleen Walker, who knew Wohltjen when she was a child and grew to form a friendship with her mentor, described the educator’s life as remarkable. “I looked up to her so much. She was a strong, smart, assertive, determined woman and a great educator,” she said. “I went to church at six with my family and it was really her that ran everything in the school. She was impeccably dressed and had the most beautiful manners and knew everyone by name. You knew she cared and was listening.”

Although Walker didn’t attend LES, her siblings did and she recalled a stoic and caring demeanor. “She was strict but very disciplined,” Walker said. “She kept the kids in line and was the boss.”

Wohltjen’s love for educating kids was evident in all that she did. “What she cared the most about her whole life was children. She was there for everything, from church to Sunday school,” Walker said. “She started a roller skating group in the parish. It kept me out of trouble. We went to the movies, ice skating in Prospect Park, and played volleyball. She gave us a fantastic upbringing. It did so much to save me as a teen.”

The two remained friends decades later. “I would later take her out to dinner as we stayed close. She still went to church in her eighties,” she said. “In the hospital, everyone came to see her when she had surgery.”

Members of LES also expressed their condolences on the school’s official Facebook Page. “She was loved and respected by us all,” wrote Director of Development and Marketing at Lutheran Elementary School Corinne Tuccillo King. “Miss Wohltjen began LES almost 60 years ago and her legacy will continue to live on in our students today and generations of students to come. “

“Ruth was a lovely woman,” added Vanessa Petrillo. “I have nothing but fond memories of her when we use to meet each week at Bible study. May she rest in peace.”

“Miss Wohltjen was and is such an influential woman in my life,” said Deborah Culhane. “Without a doubt, I would not be where I am today without her. I will look to hear about memorial services and look forward to participating.”

Along with her passion for her faith and children, Wohltjen also enjoyed eating at one of her favorite Bay Ridge restaurants, Anopoli Ice Cream Parlor and was a particular fan of the lemon pie. According to Walker, owner Manny Saviolakis will provide food for the memorial Service to be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Sunday, September 11 at 3 p.m. A light dinner will follow in the Parish Room.