Linda Lee Dammerich

Linda Lee Dammerich, 77, of Appleton, passed away on Saturday, April 24, 2021 due to COVID-19 and complications of COVID-19. She bravely and fiercely fought the coronavirus until her body had had enough.

Linda was born in Elgin, Illinois, April 20, 1944 to Hubert and Elena (Belluzzi) Weber. She graduated from Xavier High School in 1962 and married James Schreiter on October 19, 1963, in Appleton, raising two sons and two daughters. Years later, she married William Dammerich.

Linda was a daughter, sister, mom, Grandma Linda, artist, ballroom dancer, weekend go-getter, landlord, book enthusiast, gardener, nature explorer and cat (well, all animals) lover. She lived life vibrantly with a creative twist! When her children were young, she created the best decorated birthday cakes with the biggest celebration she knew how to throw at home; she masterfully took colored paper and layered the papers, shapes and words creating a magical, three dimensional Valentine’s card - each unique for each of her children. She empowered family tent camping (the heavy canvas kind) with sleeping bags on the canvas floor, roasting marshmallows at the campfire, and the fine art of canoeing with young children. She cherished her grandchildren as much as her own children. Linda was running, jumping, climbing, playing, getting dirty along side the young grandchildren and later, attending recitals, hockey and baseball/softball games. She expertly guided grandkids on frosting and decorating cookies and cupcakes, and providing correct sprinkles ratio (a lot!) and happily taste testing the decorated treats.

Linda studied business at UW-Green Bay, proudly using her education to become a Decorating Den representative and, in later years, handcrafting vegetable based soaps and lotions into a business “Thymes Past Soaps and Sundries” and selling her handmade goods at local farmers markets, thriving amongst the camaraderie of other creative business folks.

And who knew, Linda’s artistic talents would come busting out (again) in her 70s!? Vibrantly painted art - landscapes, thunder and lightning, cats, beloved people - adorn her foyer and staircase walls, exuding energy and life! Linda was open to almost any challenge. She ballroom danced, enjoyed Zumba with friends, organized weekend getaways with friends, cared for her out-of-this-world perennial gardens, encouraged her squirrel friends to visit with a unique squirrel climber and perch right outside her porch. She had an energy around her that was “an every day picker upper”, at least that’s the postman’s version! Linda was deeply loved by many, as she loved deeply, too. Her kindness, grace, creativity, smile, and, fun goofiness that we loved, will be greatly missed by her friends and family.

Linda is survived by her children Gregory (Wendi) Schreiter, Jennifer Schreiter (Richard) Pethan; Tammy (Michael Gustavson) Schreiter; and Patrick Schreiter; her grandchildren Trenton and Kennedy Schreiter, Eden and Gavin Pethan, and Neceda and Seneca Schreiter; her siblings David (Janice) Weber, Jeannie (Jeff) Josephs, and William (June) Weber; nieces Anna (Nate) Wilson; Gretchen (Brad) Ebelt; Sally (Larry) Dreher and nephews David (Karen) Weber, Dan (Nicole) Weber, Matthew Weber, and Andy (Jenny) Weber.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her ex-husbands.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thank yous to the doctors, nurses, and care team members for Linda, starting at the ED and ending at Fremont 2nd floor, at Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital. Dr. Freeman, Nurse Allison and Chaplain Nan - Thank you for providing extra comfort and grace to Linda that last day on earth and assisting family members. Linda’s family is very grateful to mom’s dear friends, Tom and Charles, for looking after mom over the years and especially the last few weeks of her life.

Linda has been cremated. A Celebration of Linda’s Life will be held at City Park, 500 E. Franklin Street, Appleton, WI, on Sunday, June 13, for friends and family. Please bring memories to share, observe social distancing and mask up as needed. Please consider getting vaccinated to help end COVID-19. Another life lost is too many.