Dorothy L VanDamme

Dorothy was born on May 3, 1930, in St Nicholas, Mich., the daughter of Emil and Eva (Ambeau) DeBacker. She graduated from the Rock High School in 1948. She was united in marriage to Girard “Jerry” VanDamme on Oct. 15, 1949, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Perkins where she was also a longtime member. Dorothy was a lifetime member of the Terrace Bluff Golf Course in Gladstone and kept score for numerous tournaments over the years. She was also a member of the Escanaba Elks Lodge 354 and loved to work side by side with her husband on the potato farm, spend time with her family, bowling, playing cards and traveling.

Dorothy is survived by her children, Art (Paula) VanDamme of Gladstone, Bob (Candee) VanDamme of St. Nicholas, Mark VanDamme of Garden City, Idaho, Carole VanDamme of Escanaba and Theresa (Jamie) Craig of Sahuarita, Ariz.; grandchildren, Casey (Jill) VanDamme, Eric (Earlene) VanDamme, Bobbi (Jake) Klee, Betsy (Todd) Macco, Cory Troutman, Shannon (Felipe) Lujan, Faith VanDamme, Brandon VanDamme and John VanDamme; numerous great-grandchildren; her sister, Jane Pryal of Escanaba and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, an infant daughter, Jane Marie VanDamme, her parents, brothers, Jerome and Patrick DeBacker and sisters, Mary Beasley, Rose Beauchamp and Jeanette VanDamme.

The family would like to thank Theresa Murray and the staff at Murray’s Country View Assisted Living for the loving care giving mom received over the last three years.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 2, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 6:00 PM at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Perkins with Fr. Larry VanDamme and Fr. Joseph V. Augustine officiating. Graveside services in the St. Nicholas Cemetery will immediately follow the Mass.

For additional information or to leave the family a message of condolence, go to www.skradskifuneralhomes.com.