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Elizabeth Paak A resident of Albuquerque since 1956, Elizabeth was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Lucy Mueller Brueggemann and Joseph Brueggemann. She was married for forty years to Carl E. Paak, professor of art at the University of New Mexico who died in 1991. She was married to Arnold Ronnebeck for ten years until his death in 2007. She is survived by her daughter Lissa Ellen Paak; son-in-law Gordon Henrik Henriksen; son Erick Joseph Paak; daughter-in-law JoAnn Spafford Paak; grandsons, Shane Paak Houston and Kai Ingolf Paak Henriksen; granddaughter Lia Elizabeth Paak Henriksen; stepdaughter Amy Ronnebeck Hall; stepson-in-law Alan Hall; and many friends. Elizabeth was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and, the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Elizabeth (or Beth) was a special education teacher for the Albuquerque Public Schools, a special education coordinator, and, for fourteen years was an elementary school principal, first at John Baker School and then at Zuni Elementary Magnet School. She was president of the Albuquerque Public School Principals Association and was a member of many education organizations. She was active in the field of gifted education and was a founder of the Albuquerque Association for Gifted and Talented Students. She became a strong advocate for magnet schools, computer learning and year-round education. Along with the faculty and parents at Zuni school, and IBM business leaders, Elizabeth developed the first elementary curriculum in Albuquerque to be designated as a district magnet program with computers. Elizabeth was a member of the Rotary Club of Albuquerque and was a docent at the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History. She was a supporter of the New Mexico Symphony and a member of the First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Unitarian Church, the Albuquerque Museum Foundation, or, the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra. A memorial service will be held at the First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.
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