Leila M. VanDamme

Obituary

Born June 28, 1939, near Snellman, MN - a small farming community near Detroit Lakes - Lee grew up surrounded by extended family. She was proud and loved her Finnish heritage, but was a rare Finn who disliked the sauna. After her father died when she was just two years old, she maintained a close relationship with her paternal grandmother, Minnie Gillette of Fostoria, Kansas, even coming to live with her and family in Aurora, MN, for a time.

After her mother’s second marriage, they moved to Chisholm, MN, where the family grew, and Lee graduated from high school. She was a critical thinker, a hard worker, and a trusted support for her mother and siblings. It shaped her into a loving caregiver and fixer of all things to do with her children.

Lee moved to the Twin Cities after high school and attended a year of community college. Her independent spirit helped her to drive herself to the hospital and give birth to her son, Jeff VanDamme. Staying in contact with Jack VanDamme, the two were married several years later.

Most proud and loving as a mother to her five children, Lee suffered and survived the deaths of her husband and two of her sons. She withstood a tumultuous amount of loss, grief, guilt, and regret as well. Through it all, she remained focused on the lives of her family. Additionally, her passion for a democratic world was a primary concern. She canvassed for Barack Obama and believed staunchly in equality for all.

Living the longest in Aurora, MN, she supported her family with a long banking career, adapting to the early changes of computers and processing member accounts. Eventually, Lee moved to Duluth, then Stillwater, and most recently Glencoe, MN, near her youngest son, Jon, who became her dedicated caretaker in hospice as she succumbed to cancer. Lee fought as long as she could to stay alive, but could not move the inevitable.

We will miss her indomitable spirit, wisdom, and determined love.

Lee was preceded in death by her husband Jack, her sons Jeff and Jim, and her siblings Lavina Gilbert, Morris Suomala, and Mary Suomala.

She is survived by her children: Tom (Pam), Amy, and Jon (Myranda); daughter-in-law, Sue; along with grandchildren Zach and Andrew (Jeff’s); Cassy and Jacob (Jim’s); Montana, Isabel, and Hudson (Amy’s); and Emma (Jon’s); great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Special thanks to Independence Home Care (PCA services) and Allina Hospice Care, along with all the medical staff and facilities that helped her.