Myra "Mickey" Lee VandenHeede

Myra Lee “Mickey” VandenHeede, 85, died peacefully on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at her home in Marshall, Michigan. Mickey was born July 18, 1939 in Manistique, Michigan. She was born to a single mother, raised by her maternal grandparents, Edith and Edwin Ekdahl, who later adopted her. She knew who her father was but was never able to meet him. From her grandparents she learned the precious gift of family, who enveloped her with love, compassion, and taught her how to live a life of virtue. This beginning to her life story enabled her, in turn, to pass on a life of love and compassion that continued until her passing in countless ways to generations of her family and her closest friends.

Mickey spent her childhood in Manistique with her brothers and sisters and life-long dear friends, Marilee Turpin (Walters) and Lorna La Vance (Bowers). She attended the First Baptist Church in Manistique where Edith Ekdahl was active for decades as a congregant and choir member.

As a teenager, Mickey traveled frequently to Marshall, where her older brother, Glen Ekdahl, had moved and where she later attended high school. It was in Marshall that she met her first husband, Phillip Harrington, with whom she bore two sons, Phillip John Harrington, Jr. and Steven Michael Harrington.

Mickey raised her sons in Marshall, finding time to continue her education at Kellogg Community College and later working for 23 years, including many as a personal shopper, at Hudson’s (later Marshall Fields) in Battle Creek, MI. She also served as a library aide at Hughes Elementary School in the late 1960’s and as a member of the Marshall Parks, Recreation, and Cemetery Board in the early 1980’s. She was an avid bowler and participated for years in the Tuesday Night Women’s Major League in Marshall, accumulating many “200” game pins and other accolades.

On December 12, 1986, she married David VandenHeede, with whom she found the enduring love of her life. Following their marriage, Mickey and Dave raised their children in the home they created together: Lisa, Todd, Brent, Craig, and Steven (Phillip Jr. had by then already moved to the East Coast). Together, Mickey and Dave immensely enjoyed welcoming family and friends to their home, where the sunporch and back patio were filled with laughter and love and many precious family moments.

As time went by, Mickey and Dave opened their home to Mickey’s dear life-long friend, Marilee Walters, who lived with them for several of her final years of life. Later, Mickey’s sister, JoAnn Kokesh, lived with Mickey and Dave, becoming a part of their ever-growing extended family.

Such was the way Mickey and Dave lived and the model they set: there was always room for one more, the answer would be “yes” to anyone in need, always showing unconditional love and generosity to their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and dear friends.

Of course, Mickey and Dave also found time for themselves. They spent much time exploring the Mountain West, eventually discovering their “happy place” in Las Vegas. It was there that they met their Harrah’s host, turned friend, of many decades, Michael Frank. Over the years virtually every child and grandchild celebrated their 21st birthdays in Las Vegas with Mickey and Dave. Mickey loved Las Vegas. She was the grand dame of Harrah’s Piano Bar, where the “Piano Girls” would welcome her each trip with their rendition of “Mickey, Mickey, You’re So Fine,” which was her cue to take the Piano Bar stage (yes, really) and for the party to begin!

But, it was love of family that most defined Mickey’s life. She set the example of what it meant to be a family, and in myriad ways she loved, supported, and guided her children and grandchildren through many of life’s challenges. As the family matriarch, she set a high standard, but always did so with open, loving arms.

Her son, Phil, said that he “owed everything to his mother.” He said that “she, more than any other person, taught me right from wrong, set a high bar, taught me to respect others and myself, and taught me how to love and to be loved.”

Mickey was a long-time member of Crossroads Church and Ministries in Marshall. Mickey and her sister JoAnn until their deaths participated in Sunday services as well as a ministry group that became a bedrock of their faith and faith community. Mickey said often that her Thursday ministry group was an extraordinary gift from God and a continuous source of support and inspiration to her and her late sister.

Mickey is survived by her children, Phillip (Kathie) Harrington of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Lisa (Bill) Walters of Marshall, Todd VandenHeede, Brent (Leslie Booth) VandenHeede of Marshall, Craig (Carolyn King) VandenHeede of Marshall, and Steven Harrington of Marshall; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews; sister Molly (Doug) Ryan of Arkansas; step-sister Connie Farley-Wilson of Garden; brothers-in-law John VandenHeede of Niles, Tim (Pat) VandenHeede of Marshall, Tom (Will Keifer) VandenHeede of Marshall; sister-in-law Charlotte West of Carbondale, Illinois; sister-in-law Susan (Dave) Fhaner of Marshall, brother-in-law Paul Harrington of Marshall, and dear life-long friend, Lorna Bowers, of Manistique. She was preceded in death by her husband, David, her parents and grandparents, her sisters JoAnn Kokesh, Marsha Lloyd, Judy Napora, and brothers Glen Ekdahl and Larry Ekdahl.

The family will greet visitors on Friday, September 27, 2024 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, Michigan 49068 with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m., officiated by Crossroads Church & Ministries Connections Pastor, Kathleen Loughrige, and Missions/Evangelism Pastor, Shawn Loughrige.

Because Mickey loved a party, all are then encouraged to stay for a luncheon in the Kempf Reception Hall following the service. Memorial contributions are requested to Crossroads Church & Ministries, Marshall (ccmonline.org) and Oaklawn Hospice, Marshall (oaklawnhospital.org). Assistance with memorials is available at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Please visit www.kempffuneralhome to com.