Lillian Margaret Pardee

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. — Lillian Margaret Pardee, affectionately known as “Tommy,” peacefully passed away on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, Wisconsin surrounded by her loving family. At 77 years old, she had been a long time resident of Gladstone, Mich. and was most recently residing at Comforts of Home Assisted Living in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin to be near her daughter, Lori.

A dedicated homemaker and beloved mother, Tommy and life partner Leonard Willis spent many summers traveling from one county fair to another across Michigan. Tommy’s warm and generous spirit extended beyond her immediate family, opening her home to friends and relatives throughout the year. Despite limited means she was always ready to lend a helping hand.

Holiday meals were legendary at her home. For many years she made large Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts, with various family and friends entering cheerful and hungry and leaving happy and full. She happily shared her recipes for baked beans, cookies and, of course, her peanut butter balls (easy as 1-2-3). She and her sisters, Dar or Linda, would make giant cookie trays to give to family and friends to take with them and enjoy throughout the holiday season.

Beyond her kitchen, she enjoyed simple games like Rummy, Step 11 and Yahtzee. She loved bingo, which made Mondays and Fridays her favorite activity days the past year. In her earlier years she expressed her creative side through crochet, crafting beautiful items for family and friends.

She was an avid collector of all things Coca Cola, evidence of which adorned the walls and display cabinets in every room of her home, making hers the easiest Christmas present to pick out each year.

Tommy was preceded in death by her life partner, Leonard Willis; parents, Perry and Margaret Pardee; sisters, Darlene Rogers and Evelyn Deneau; brothers, Larry Pardee, Gary Pardee, John Pardee, and Daniel Pardee. She is survived by her daughter, Lori (Jim) VanDamme; grand-daughter, Erin (Kevin) Knight; grandson, Kyle (Molly) VanDamme; great-grandchildren, Keli Mertz, Kamden Knight, William VanDamme, Daxton VanDamme and Genevieve VanDamme; brothers, Perry L. Pardee, Roger Pardee, and Peter “Munch” Pardee as well as sisters, Linda Langston, Agnes Erity, Beverly Warick, Pat Lynch, Ann Nieznay.

A celebration of life is planned in conjunction with her internment at the Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone, Mich. in the spring at a date and time yet to be determined.

The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Comforts of Home in Chippewa Falls, Wis. for the great care she received while living there, as well as the staff at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, Wis. for the care they provided during her final days.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Lung Association in Lillian’s name.

Chippewa Valley Cremation Services – Celebration of Life Center in Altoona, Wis. is assisting the family with arrangements. Please visit their website, chippewavalleycremation.com, if you have any memories or favorite photos of Lillian you’d like to share.