Brandt, Leona M.Leona M. Brandt (nee-Richey, Dammerich), age 77, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 7, 2017 at Heritage Assisted Living in Appleton.Leona was born on March 15, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois to William and Wilma Richey. She spent her childhood in Fort Dodge, Iowa before moving to Wisconsin to finish up her last two years of high school at Appleton West.On New Year's Eve in 1960, she met Bill Dammerich in Milwaukee. Eight days later, the two of them eloped and spent the next 20 years of their lives raising four loving children in Freedom, Wisconsin.She is the proud mother of daughter Debbie (John) Vosters, daughter Shelly Gisvold, son Bill Dammerich and son Rick (Kari) Dammerich; proud grandmother of Dana (Brandon) DeCoster, Zach (Laura) Vosters, Tyler LaBorde (Erica), Chloe Griesbach, Trevor (Vince) Griesbach, Cami Gisvold, Laura (Travis) Pillsbury, Sara Dammerich, Samantha Dammerich and Jordan Dammerich; stepmother to Kirk (Louise) Brandt and Corey (Byron) Brandt; step grandmother to Nicole and Mallory Brandt; and great grandmother to Tess, Alli, Cashton, Fallon, Aliyah and William. Leona was a stay at home mom with summers spent at the cottage on White Potato Lake or in the backyard pool with the kids. She and Bill divorced, but remained lifelong friends, raising their children together until his passing in 2007.Leona worked for USIG and Guardian Life Insurance, eventually pursuing early retirement in 1994 after meeting and marrying Dick Brandt. Together, they spent the next 15 years enjoying life as snowbirds in Florida. Mom and Dick were the life of the party; socializing with many friends and creating countless memories. Leona and Dick lived a happy life for 22 years together before Dick's passing in January of 2017.Mom was an avid reader and quilter, and only golfed when pressured...! LOL She also served as a hospice volunteer at Theda Care Cherry Meadows; bringing care and comfort to many. During her time there, she contributed to the Memorial Quilt that is still used today to honor those who have passed.Her favorite holiday was Christmas, but she treasured any opportunity for the family to spend time together. The holidays were always a time that brought all of the kids home filled with fun, laughter and love. Mom truly cherished her family and her longtime friendships. Some of Mom's best times were spent with Lois, Mary and countless others, at some of their favorite spots like Four Torches, JJ's, George's and up north!Mom was preceded in death by husband Richard, her parents, brother Robert Richey, Margie Dammerich, Bill Dammerich, grandson Jordan Dammerich, and stepson Dr. Corey J. Brandt, and other close relatives and friends.Visitation will be held Monday, May 15, 2017 at O'CONNELL FUNERAL HOME (1776 E. Main St. Little Chute) beginning at 4:00 p.m. until time of Funeral at 6:00 p.m. Committal Holy Cross Cemetery. To sign the guest book, please visit oconnellfh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cherry Meadows Hospice.We'd like to thank, from the bottom of our hearts, Thedacare Hospice Team and volunteers. You all gave to mom selflessly and made the last 3 months of her life a gift to her and to us. She said many times, "They treat me like a queen here!" You're never quite ready for this day to come but knowing she was happy and loved and had made many new friends makes it easier.Mom, Gramma Loni, Honey, We love you, we miss you and you can breathe easy now!! Love you always and forever, Debbie, Shelly, Billy and Rick