Beloved Minn. Science Teacher Dies After Collapsing at Blackboard in Front of Students

Lori Blomme, a 40-year-old science teacher in Minneapolis, died Monday after collapsing in front of her students in class. (Image source: KMSP-TV)

A beloved 40-year-old science teacher at a Minneapolis high school collapsed during class and died Monday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

Lori Blomme told students she was feeling faint during third hour at Menlo Park Academy before collapsing in front of the blackboard, KMSP-TV reported. There were about 10 students in the class at the time, and some ran to get help.

"We didn't know what to do," said Marshaun Williams, a sophomore in Blomme's class. "She just said she was going to faint. We did the best thing we could do and get help."

Joseph Papasodora, a student in the class next door, told KSTP-TV that students started running in screaming that Blomme was on the floor. He ran in to see what had happened.

"She was on the ground, it looked like she was having a seizure sort of," Papasodora said.

Students were ushered into the school gym as paramedics attended to Blomme and rushed her to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Students were informed of her death Tuesday morning. Autopsy results are pending.

Her brother-in-law, David Blomme, told the Star Tribune Lori had recently been stressed about the family dog's brief disappearance but was otherwise in good health.

"I don't think anyone thought anything was serious," family friend Gloria Tollefson told KMSP. "Her heart just stopped. We don't know why."

Students described Blomme as a strict but much-loved teacher.

"She was a great teacher. She was the best teacher anyone could ask for," Williams told KMSP. "She was always on you about your work, though. She didn't play about the work. She always wanted you to get your work done."

Menlo Park Academy is an alternative high school with about 70 students. Blomme had taught there since 2003.

"Lori was a committed and caring teacher who dedicated so much of herself to the Menlo Park school community," school director Helen Henly told the Star Tribune. "She inspired and encouraged students to achieve beyond what they ever believed."

She is survived by her husband and two young daughters, ages 6 and 8.