Inge G. VanderLeest

With her loving family by her side, Inge G. VanderLeest, age 90, passed away peacefully on Friday evening, November 17, 2023, at her home. Inge was born in Racine on November 29, 1932, daughter of the late Carl and Astrid (nee: Jorgensen) Pedersen.

Inge graduated from Park High School “Class of 1951.” On April 3, 1954, Inge was united in marriage to the love of her life, Donald E. VanderLeest. They raised three children, Michael, Ruth, and Carol and shared nearly seventy years together. Inge was a dedicated charter member of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection since 1964, where she served as the head of the funeral luncheon committee for over twenty years. Inge was involved with the Tucker 4H Club for fifty-five years teaching cake decorating and basketry. She enjoyed cake decorating, bowling, camping, traveling, canning, baking, wine making, dancing, hunting and lots of fishing. Inge will be best remembered for her deep love and devotion to her family.

Inge will be dearly missed by her loving husband, Donald; children; Michael (Debra) VanderLeest, Ruth (John) Hoffmann, Carol Kenyon; grandchildren; Jeffrey (Diana) VanderLeest, Randahl (Jennifer) Hoffmann, Nicholas (Krisa) Hoffmann, and Kyle (Chrisopher D’Onofrio) Hoffmann, Cathy (Kevin) Gabbey; great grandchildren; Christopher VanderLeest, Aolani (Jason) Lamelas, Camille VanderLeest, R.J. Benisch, Natalie Benisch, Brynn Hoffmann, Weston Hoffmann, Ty Hoffmann, Taylor Hoffmann, Trevor Martin, Julieanna LaBrasca, Morgan Gabbey, Collin Gabbey; brother; Peder (Judy) Pedersen, Sister In-Laws; Alice Legler, Geri VanderLeest nieces, nephews, other relatives, “The Cruise Gang”, and friends.

In addition to her parents, Inge was also preceded in death by her Grandson Daniel VanderLeest, Great Granddaughter Lily Gabbey, Brother in Laws; Robert VanderLeest, David VanderLeest, Robert Legler. Nieces; Jill Pedersen and Lynn Schroeder and son-in-law, Matthew Huck.

Visitation will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 322 Ohio Street, on Saturday November 25, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. with a memorial service to start at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. John Andersen officiating. Private interment will be held at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Memorials to Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Compassus, Ridgewood Rehabilitation Center have been suggested.

The family extends a special thank you to Rev. John Andersen, the teams from Ascension, Compassus Hospice, and Ridgewood for their loving and compassionate care.