Leonore "Lee" Ann Lodenkamp (née. Grabowski), age 82, resident of Windsor Park in Carol Stream, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 23, 2017 surrounded by family.  Lee was born in Chicago and grew up in Downers Grove.  At the age of 3 she contracted and survived polio, continuing to overcome its effects throughout her life.  Before completing her studies at Lyons Township Junior College, Lee was a graduate of the class of '52 at Downers Grove High School where she met her late husband, Robert Vesely. They were married in 1955 and began their life together modestly, moving into a converted chicken coop in Westmont.  Together they had four children. Lee was a homemaker for many years before returning to the workforce as an administrative assistant with the DuPage County government and then retiring in 1994.  She was a dedicated volunteer, serving faithfully for 15 years at the DuPage Convalescent Center.  Lee also enjoyed traveling, reaching 5 continents and 47 states.

Throughout her life Lee drew strength from her faith in Jesus Christ as she overcame a number of personal tragedies.  In August of 1966, she lost Robert when his car was struck by an impaired driver, leaving her to raise four children on her own until her second marriage in 1968.  During the early 70's, she cared for a stepson (Eric) who lost his life to childhood leukemia. Adding to the heartbreak, Lee lost her second husband, Albert Lodenkamp, to a stroke, before she turned 50.  She was soon challenged again by the sudden death of her oldest son, Craig, in 1981.  Despite these substantial trials, she always kept a positive and gracious attitude, believing in God's divine plan for her life.  Chief amongst her many legacies is her generous spirit and her lifelong gift of giving.  Lee anticipated the needs of others and gave without reservation, whether it was her listening ear, encouragement, time, or resources.  She maintained her spirit of giving even through her final wishes, choosing to donate her remains to science.  In lieu of flowers, Lee has asked that friends and family instead honor her through a prayerful act of kindness to someone in need.

Lee was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Agnes Grabowski. She is survived by her beloved sister Rosalie Ramquist; three children and their spouses, Mary (Gary) Cipriano, Daniel (Lisa) Vesely, and Michael (Nancy) Vesely; a stepdaughter, Laurie (Mike) McFadden; eleven grandchildren: Nick (Liz), Trevor (Katie), Paul, and Steven Cipriano; Julia and Samuel Vesely; and Amanda, Joshua, Caleb, Matthew, and Jacob Vesely; eleven step-grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; and a loving sister-in-law, Terry (Ernie) Herzog.

There will be a memorial service held at Windsor Park (120 Windsor Park Dr, Carol Stream) on Saturday, April 8 ^th .  Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm and a memorial service will start at 2 pm.  For anyone wishing to also make a donation in Lee's honor, she has requested they consider Easter Seals (Easterseals.com or Easter Seals DuPage & Fox Valley, 830 S. Addison Avenue, Villa Park, IL 60181-1153) or Autism Treatment Center of America (2080 S. Undermountain Rd., Sheffield, MA 01257).