Marjorie Elisabeth VanDamme

Marjorie Elisabeth VanDamme

GLADSTONE — Marjorie Elisabeth VanDamme, age 97, of 413 South 10th Street in Gladstone, passed away Sunday, February 28, 2021, at her home in Gladstone surrounded by her loving family. She was born November 16, 1923, in Hinsdale, Mont., the daughter of Louis and Marian (Hoste) Matthys. Marge attended Rock School as a child, and then graduated from Gladstone High School. The former Marge Matthys married George VanDamme on June 26, 1948 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Perkins. George, a WWII veteran, preceded her in death on January 28, 1999. In the early 1950s, Marge and George purchased a farm in St. Nicholas, where they had dairy cattle and potatoes and raised seven children. After they retired in 1985, they moved to Gladstone. Marge and George were members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Perkins and later she was a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone. She and George were also members of the American Legion Auxiliary Post #540. Marge had a beautiful smile and infectious giggle. She enjoyed so many activities: baking (her glazed donuts at the high school basketball games were so famous, the opposing team would pile off the bus and make a beeline to the concession stand to ensure they didn’t miss out), painting landscapes, cooking, and gardening (her garden was filled with heirloom tomatoes, raspberries, mint and geraniums). And every grandchild remembers the hours of playing of Crazy Rummy with Grandma (she had no mercy!), coupled with plates of summer sausage, cheddar cheese and Hershey’s nuggets.