Wilmington College volleyball player Lauryn Alyssa Griewahn died on April 22nd after what the school calls “an extended illness.” Wilmington College is a Division III school located in Wilmington, Ohio.
Wilmington College volleyball coach Tim O’Brien remembered her perseverance in the face of adversity, and said that she was doing homework in the hospital last week even as her health declined.
“She was a hard-working kid in battling this illness in addition to being a small (5-3) setter playing six rotations. It’s a challenging thing to do, but Lauryn was up to the challenge,” said O’Brien, who played volleyball and worked in her hometown of Adrian, adding he knew her for the past six years.
“Lauryn will be sorely missed by her teammates and coaches,” he said. “She will continue as an inspiration as our volleyball program moves forward.”
Griewahn was a freshman in the 2017 season, where she split time between setter and defensive specialist and led the team in assists. At Adrian High School in Michigan, she was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter.
Her official obituary:
ADRIAN – Lauryn Alyssa Griewahn, age 19 of Adrian, passed away Sunday, April 22, 2018, at the University of Michigan Hospital.
She was born March 31, 1999, in Adrian, Michigan, the daughter of Darrin and Melissa (Brainerd) Griewahn. Lauryn was a 2017 graduate of Adrian High School and was in her freshman year at Wilmington College in Ohio.
Lauryn’s passion for volleyball began at age 5, she played high school, on travel leagues, at the YMCA and in 2017 became a Wilmington Fightin’ Quaker. Lauryn majored in exercise science and attending classes as recently as late March when complications from Lupus, a disease that affects the immune system, resulted in her health taking a turn for the worse. Wilmington Volleyball Coach, Timothy O’Brien, praised her perseverance in the face of adversity, adding that she was doing homework in the hospital to stay on top of her courses. “Lauryn will be sorely missed by her teammates and coaches. She will continue to be an inspiration as our volleyball program moves forward.”
Lauryn’s vitality and love for all was evident through her spunky attitude, compassionate nature and fortitude. With Lauryn’s frankness and straight forward perspective – no one wondered what was on her mind. A few of Lauryn’s favorite things included camping with Nana and Poppy, eating El Chap’s chips and cheese, and capturing others finer moments thru Snap Chat.
Lauryn is survived by her parents; siblings, Tony Dixon, Josh McDonald and Courtney Walker; grandparents, Tom and Cheryl Ayers, Vince and Sue Brainerd, Michael and Linda Pierson, and Sarah and Aaron Walker; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m., Friday, April 27, 2018, at Wagley Funeral Home in Adrian with Rev. Gary Miller officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m.
Contributions in memory of Lauryn may be made to Adrian Schools Educational Foundation. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.
Leave a Reply