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Lynn L. Trombold (Oliphant)
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Lynn Oliphant(1944 - 2014)
 Lynn Trombold Oliphant
1944-2014
Lynn Louise Trombold was born in Wichita, Kansas, on February 24th, 1944. Her earthly life ended on Tuesday, December 30th, 2014, after a four-year battle with cancer, BUT her soul lives on in the very presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her trust in Jesus Christ qualified her to be welcomed at the gates of Paradise by her Savior with the long awaited words, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"
Lynn graduated from East High School in Wichita, Kansas, in 1962. In high school she excelled in swimming, running, cheerleading and served as prom queen. She attended Wichita State University for two years, where she became a varsity cheerleader and met Buck Oliphant. After two years, she transferred to Kansas University and graduated in 1967.
From her perspective, 1967 was the greatest year of her life. She became a Christian early in '67, got engaged to Buck a few months later, graduated from KU a few months later, and got married on December 2nd. Buck and Lynn began their life together in Dallas where Lynn spent part of the first year teaching swimming at the YMCA in Dallas. After that year, they moved to Wichita, Kansas, where she taught physical education at North High School for one year. From there they moved to Seattle, Washington, where Lynn began to fulfill her lifelong dream of (what Buck calls) manufacturing tricycle motors. After producing seven models which were affectionately known as Sandia, Paul, Chris, Tim, Rob, David and Daniel, she retired from production and moved into maintenance. Even though she felt production was easier than maintenance, she remained in maintenance and excelled in that role the rest of her life.
From the perspective of her husband, her children, in-laws, grandkids and friends, Lynn has been held up as an ideal wife, mother, Mimi and friend. However, Lynn never, ever felt like she was being a good role model because she was very aware of her shortcomings, her weaknesses, her sin and her need for God's forgiveness every day. She wanted desperately to be and do what God wanted her to be and do, but her inability drew her to Jesus and what He had done for her. She was aware of her sin, but she was even more aware of the love that her great Savior, Jesus Christ, had for her. Lynn realized that God was in the business of taking ordinary fallen people and doing great things through them, so she leaned heavily upon the completed work of Jesus to work in and through her and to enable her to serve him on a daily basis.
God gave Lynn a healthy desire to work hard and long, and she loved to get things done. He also gave her an extra dose of creativity which she very much enjoyed using to give others enjoyment. With her creativity and her outstanding work ethic, Buck, early in their marriage, dreamed of setting her up in a custom-made gift shop where they could profit from her God-given talents and gifts. However, he faced one major problem: she wanted to give her custom-made gifts away and could not bear the thought of selling them. She spent the remaining years of her life getting pleasure out of making things for others.
Preceding Lynn in death was her father, Walter Trombold, of Wichita, Kansas. Surviving extended family consists of her mother, Charlotte Trombold; sister, Joan Benjamin and her husband, Kenny; brother, Steve Trombold and his wife, Janna; brother, David Trombold and his wife, Louise; brother, Chuck Trombold and his wife, Suzy, and ten nephews.
Surviving immediate family members are her husband, Buck, after 47 plus years of marriage, and a large legacy of blessings: children Sandia Chen, and her husband, Sergio; Paul and his wife, Denise; Chris; Tim and his wife, Lauren; Rob and his wife, Kirsten; David and his wife, Taisiya; and Daniel Oliphant, as well as nineteen grandchildren: Kevin, Katelynn, Cole, Nathan, Caleb, Collin, Connor, Bryce, Jackson, Ireland, Sawyer, Braden, Charlotte, Lincoln, Hayes, Cooper, Alex, Wesley and Quinlyn.
Lynn knew God through Jesus Christ in a very personal way, and she loved His Word. Early in the morning she could be found regularly sitting in her favorite chair sipping on a cup of coffee while reading her Bible. She rarely, if ever, missed a day of reading and studying God's Word. Often times, while talking to someone on the phone or visiting in person, she would break into spontaneous prayer as people shared needs with her. She was a true blessing to all who came to know her. Her most often prayed prayer was for her family to know God through Jesus Christ. Over her bed is a framed Bible verse: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth" (3 John 1:4).
The memorial service and reception will be held at Christ Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 8300 Katy Freeway, on Monday, January 5th at 2:00 PM. Prior to the memorial service the family will have gathered for a private graveside service at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to CEPC, designating the gifts to the church-sponsored Kenyan orphanage, Tumaini, in her honor. For more information, please check the website: http://www.tumainifamilies.org/help or http://www.cepc.org/give/money/
Published in Houston Chronicle on Jan. 4, 2015
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Dan Hunter
Buck, So sorry to hear of Lynn's death. She was truely a real "sweat heart" with always a smile. Dan Hunter
Stanley N. Deming
I'm sad to hear of Lynn's death. I'm left with only good memories of a beautiful, caring woman. May you be forever happy, Lynn.
Bennie James Clay Jr.
Lynn... I know your flight west will be smooth. Blue Skies always, and know that you were loved by all.
(Capt. Bennie Clay Jr.)
Joe R Aldendifer
Only knew Lynn during high school years but I still remember her smile after all these years.
Even back then one would recognise she was a dynamic person and would have a great life.
It was sad to read of her passing, my deepest sympathies to her family for I am sure she will be greatly missed.
Joe Aldendifer
Brian Beatty
Buck and Family... I knew Lynn before East High through swim club and because my Dad worked with Lynn's uncle George at Boeing there in Wichita. Last I'd heard, you all were still living in Texas. Somehow, I missed the word, (or have forgotten) that you moved to Seattle. Of course, we stayed in tourch with Mary Ann and Jim Trombold because we, too, moved to Seattle. I am saddened to learn of Lynn's passing. You two have been such an inspiration to your wonderful family, and to all who know you, for that matter. Your faith and love of our Lord has been such a gift to the world.
As you may guess by the number of guys who have sent condolences, I was, I'm sure, one of many who had a crush on Lynn in high school. I know, as do you, that our Lord has made a place for Lynn in heaven. What a gift you were to her, as she was to you. Take care, and God bless you all.
Brian Beatty
Patricia A. Lockwood (Carlson)
So sorry to hear of Lynn's passing. She and I were both in the sophomore girls' ensemble, as I recall. I'm so blessed to learn of her deep love of Jesus from the obituary. I will look forward to meeting her again in Heaven one day. My condolences to the family.
Pat Lockwood Carlson
Mary Ann Wuller (Moore)
Buck and family-I was so sorry to hear of Lynn's passing. We were friends in junior high and high school. I remember Lynn as a person most admirable for her sincerity and awesome character. I never knew her to be other than the kindest person I knew in high school. My daughter's middle name Is a reminder of the friend I knew at East those many years ago. I was especially happy to hear that we shared the same love for the Lord and for quilting. Though we never connected after she transferred to another college, my memories of her beautiful smile ant those terrific jumps with the cheerleaders always flood my mind at the mention of her name. I'm sure Lynn loved life and was a wonderful wife and mother. Mary Ann (Wuller) Moore