Corrie was an exceptional person who connected with people in ways that made everyone feel special. She was a cherished source of joy who looked for the positive, even when facing tough circumstances.
Her favorite, and most impactful role was as a mother. Her daughters were all she ever wanted, and she went through a long and difficult journey to be able to finally have them on February 15, 2012. Keira and Avery were her whole world. She delighted in who they are and everything they do. She recorded many wonderful moments of her life with them, sharing them on Facebook, and treasuring every memory in her heart.
She loved the sounds of her girls playing with their cousins and neighborhood friends in her home. She believed they were creating memories they would cherish and disregarded the chaos and clutter they sometimes left behind. There was always lots of fun, laughter, sleepovers, and dance parties at Corrie’s house. She loved her pets, Millie, Mittens, and Gemma. All creatures were, if not loved, at least respected, as she would capture bugs and spiders in the house and release them outside.
Corrie wanted to be a teacher since she learned to talk. She was so excited to get her degree in Special Education and then was hired by Lincoln Public Schools. She cared so much for her special needs students. She told stories of their successes and cried with joy for them. She was sad when Covid hit and they had to teach remotely, then she was diagnosed with cancer and wasn’t able to go back to the classroom.
Corrie loved games of all kinds and was quite competitive. She loved crafts of all kinds and recently added watercolor painting to her artistic pursuits. She was patient, kind, understanding, positive, optimistic, open-hearted, caring, resilient, and most of all, inclusive of all people. She had many very special and close friends that she held very dear, and she never let a day go by without talking with her brother, Tim, and checking in with mom and dad. Most of all, she was fiercely proud and protective of her beautiful daughters, Keira and Avery. Her first and foremost love was raising and loving them. So deep and wide is the emptiness Corrie leaves behind, that space will never be filled. All we can do is search for the joy that is still in this world and, when we find it, share it with others.
Corrie was a graduate of the University of Nebraska. She was employed as an Immigration Services officer for USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) and was formerly a Special Education teacher in the Lincoln Public Schools.
Family members include her parents, Cliff and Marcie Stohlman, daughters Keira and Avery Schulz, brother, Tim Stohlman (Crystal), aunt Marilyn Flynn, uncle Scott Stohlman, nieces Leighton and Lilah Stohlman, nephews Keenan and Ledger Stohlman, great-nephew Jaxon Stohlman, cousins John Loen, Mallory Flynn, Amy Stohlman Axtell (Jim), Ben Stohlman, Casey Stohlman, Ashleigh Dean (Michael), and Sean Stohlman. Predeceased family members are maternal grandparents Gordon and Dee Loen, paternal grandparents Cliff and Shirley Stohlman, uncle Jim Stohlman, uncle Lance Loen, and aunt Marlene Loen.
We have heard from many people who were interested in what type of cancer Corrie had, and have said they never knew how serious it was because she was always so positive. We thought it might be beneficial to briefly share what she had been dealing with over the last 6 years.
After two years of various doctors trying to determine what was causing Corrie’s symptoms, in May of 2020, she was finally referred to a specialist who diagnosed Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma Mycosis Fungoides, a rare blood cancer. In September of 2020, she began chemotherapy treatments that were expected to continue throughout her life. It was our understanding at that time that, although serious, this type of cancer could be managed.
Over the course of the next 3+ years, she was put on many different chemo drug combinations, until she unexpectedly developed serious additional symptoms. Biopsies at that time showed that the cancer had advanced to large cell lymphoma and she endured 15 rounds of radiation.
She now had Stage 4 cancer and there were no more chemo drug options that could successfully address her condition, so she was approved for the only remaining treatment available to potentially save her life, a stem cell transplant. This began an arduous process of chemotherapy plus radiation and testing to obliterate the cancer temporarily in preparation for the transplant. This process was completed in early March 2024. At that point, she was allowed 2 treatment-free months to enjoy prior to entering the hospital. And enjoy she did, even taking her girls out of school a day or two to pack in all the fun she could while she felt healthy.
A stem cell transplant, like any other transplant, has many risks, and is a marathon journey, but she had every reason to believe that on the other side of that journey, she would be cancer free. On May 2nd, she was admitted to the hospital to begin preparation (more chemo and radiation) for the transplant on May 9th. Recovery was difficult and uncomfortable, but on May 26th she was able to be released from the hospital to continue follow-up treatment on an outpatient basis. After 12 days, Corrie became very ill and was readmitted to the hospital. She continued to battle her complications with the goal of being discharged to outpatient treatment again. Tragically, on the morning of Thursday, June 13th, her body had been through so much for so long that she wasn’t able to take those next steps to return home to the daughters she adored.
This is how Corrie’s mortal life ended, and that information is sometimes helpful to know. Unfortunately, no one is able to answer the unfathomable question: “Why?”. But Corrie’s beautiful soul will live on in the changed lives and dear memories of everyone who loved her. So, when the invitation is extended during the service, it would be a welcome gift if you would share a thought or a memory about Corrie.
The funeral service will be held at 10:30 am Wednesday, June 19, 2024, Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Drive. Livestream will be available ten minutes prior to the service at roperandsons.com/livestream.
Visitation with family present will be from 5-7 pm Tuesday, June 18, 2024, Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel.
Memorials to the family for future designation.
Link to Service Recording: