Louise Helene Achenbach

Louise Achenbach was honored at a luncheon and banquet, introduced at half time of a football game and honored in a parade through Spear Fish, South Dakota as she was inducted into the Coaches Hall of Fame during the annual "Swarm Week" activities at her alma mater, Black Hills State University. Louise graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education with emphasis in physical education, health and recreation, and psychology, with a minor in music and social science. After graduation from Black Hills State University, Louise came to teach at WHS. She taught PE, History, Health & Wellness, and Driver's Education until retiring in 2007. Louise established the girls' inter-scholastic volleyball, basketball and softball programs. She coached volleyball for 32 years, bringing home the league championship 29 times! Nine times they were finalists for the Central Section Volleyball Finals. Louise was named Coach of the Year for our league seventeen times, and inducted into the CA State Coaches Hall of Fame, and CIF Central Section Volleyball Coach of the

Year. In April 2017, she was inducted into the Woodlake High School's Hall of Fame. Louise was selected to the CA State Volleyball Advisory Board, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the CA Interscholastic Federation for serving twenty-seven years on the Board and was inducted into the CA Coaches Hall of Fame. WHS didn't have a tennis coach when Louise arrived, and to her surprise, she was called in to Principal Loverin's office at 1:00 pm in early February, 1970 to discover that she was the new tennis coach. Not to worry — practice didn't start until 3:00 pm! The first day of practice was spent running the track. Louise had checked out a book on tennis from the library and read all she could each evening coming up with drills she could practice at home with a spatula. After fourteen years as the tennis coach and many league championships, she still has never played a game of tennis! She also started and coached a softball and a basketball team for girls; the basketball team won the League Championship that first year! Aside from her coaching achievements, Louise was the Cheer Squad advisor for twenty years as well as the Tiger Marching Band flag and letterette advisor for twelve years. Louise was named Woodlake High School Teacher of the Year, CA State High School Region 9 Teacher of the Year and CA State High School Teacher of the year 1st RunnerUp.

Louise was a member of the US Army Reserves for 14 years, where she earned a variety of medals and letters of achievement and commendation, including Battalion Soldier of the Year and Master Sergeant.

Louise is survived by her longtime friends Ryan Edwards, Kelly Lopez, DJ & Kylie (Tex) Martain, Taylor Weisenberger and Francis Mann. Hher Aunt, Rebecca Cooper, of Custer, SD; Cousins, Glenda (Kevin ) Jenniges, of Custer, SD, and David (Karen) Maudlin, of Hill City, SD.

A Celebration of Life will be held for her at the Presbyterian Church 600 West Naranjo Blvd. Woodlake, CA 93286 on Friday May 25, 2018 at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Woodlake High School Foundation (Scholarship) mail to do Francis Mann at PO Box 150 Woodlake CA 93286.

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.