Elizabeth "Beth" LaMie

November 3, 1947 - August 26, 2020

Elizabeth “Beth” La Mie of Kankakee died on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at her home following a courageous fight against cancer. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Born in Papineau to Beaucie and Dorothy Trost Collette on November 3, 1947, she grew up in Beaverville, Bradley and Chebanse. From an early age, her parents taught her the value of hard work and helping others. Beth enjoyed simple pleasures, including wood carving, writing books, traveling, camping, fishing, quilting, scrapbooking, crossword puzzles and chocolate. She doted on her grandchildren, family, and friends. Her dry wit and sense of humor always kept people on their toes. Her career included jobs in banking and manufacturing at A.O. Smith in Kankakee and Milwaukee, Kohler Company, and IBM Corporation. In 2007, Beth began a second career as a personal historian to help people save their family stories. Everyone has a story to tell. She especially enjoyed hearing about their experiences and encouraging them to write about their lives for future generations. During her career as a writer, she happily completed some fifteen booklets, memorials, tributes, and full-length books for clients. She married Lynn LaMie on December 19, 1981 in Kankakee. A year later, they moved to the Milwaukee area in Wisconsin. Beth participated in various groups and civic organizations, such as 4-H, Toastmasters, Zonta International, National Speakers Association, and Association of Personal Historians. Surviving are her husband of Kankakee; son Jason (Amber) Domke of Mount Prospect, IL; stepson Jeff (Elizabeth) Lamie of Freemont, CA: stepdaughters Nancy Smith of Chesbane, IL and Teri (Norm) Lancaster of Herin, IL; three sisters; Joanne Coriell and Patricia Collette of Pontiac, IL, and Barbara (Bob) Buehler of Ocala, FL; two brothers, Pete (Ann) Collette of Solon, IA, and Mark (Bow Lea) Collette of Fredericksburg, VA; sisters-in-law Jackie (Arlyn) Rabideau of L’Erable, IL, Sharlene (Alan) Zima of Washington, GA; brothers-in-law Gary (Pat) Lamie of Chebanse, IL, and Jim (Leslie) Lamie of Cheyenne, WY; grandchildren Nicholas and Alexandra Domke of Mount Prospect, IL; step-grandchildren Christopher Glazik, Jonathan Glazik, Joe (Cari) Hendershott, Cari (Erik) Wright, Brian Staples, Nicole Staples, Kylie Staples; and multiple step-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and special friend Beverly Riordan of McHenry, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and brother Tom Collette. Beth’s philosophy of life can be summarized by the saying, “Live well, laugh often, love much.” In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society of to the donor’s wishes.