Shirlee Lakemaker Dale
Shirlee Lakemaker “Sue” Dale, 85, of Raleigh, passed away in her home after a battle with colon cancer. The family is deeply appreciative of the loving care provided by Transitions Hospice Care. Funeral arrangements to be announced by the family.
Shirlee was born April 11, 1936 in Brown County, South Dakota to the late Martin E. Lakemaker and Lillian Agatha Pigors Lakemaker. She spent most of her childhood in Groton, SD, learning the values of hard work, the Christian faith, and the true meaning of family. Shirlee graduated from Groton High School in 1954. She went on to attend the University of South Dakota, earning a degree in English Education. She was a member of Alpha Phi sorority. In December 1957, she wed Louis Lincoln “Larry” Fleeger, II, after meeting in college. Sue and Larry had two children together. They moved to Denver, CO in 1961. In Denver, she began her career in banking.
Shirlee later married Army LT James Washington Dale, III. They had two children together, and lived a typical Army life, across the country and world. The family lived in Colorado, Oklahoma, Washington, South Korea, Green Bay, WI, and Raleigh, NC. In South Korea, Sue had the opportunity to teach English to Korean diplomats. Despite switching to a career in banking, she was always an English teacher at heart. After moving to Raleigh in the early 70s, Sue began a career at United Carolina Bank (UCB). She worked for UCB for 30 years (later BB&T) as a Relationship Banker. After retiring in the early 2000s, she enjoyed many trips with her brother, sister-in-law, and best friends from South Dakota. Sue loved travelling, spending time with family, crossword puzzles, Jeopardy, the Green Bay Packers, the Midwest, and her two Cocker Spaniels. Sue was most passionate about keeping her family in church and making sure they received the same faith she did. She was a long time member of St. Philip Lutheran Church of Raleigh.
Sue loved her family fiercely, loved her God more, and was truly a light to everyone she met. She was the epitome of a true Midwesterner. She showed love and care to everybody around her without judgement.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Lillian Lakemaker. She is survived by her brother Gerald Lakemaker (Linda) of Palm Coast, FL; four children, Jerald James Fleeger (Susan) of Lewisville, TX, Janette Fleeger Baethke (Clayton) of Creedmoor, NC, Jay Michael Dale (Monica) of Raleigh, NC, and James Washington Dale, IV of Raleigh, NC; four grandchildren, James Robert “Jamey” Benson, IV (Brie) of Austin TX, Christopher Fleeger (Rebecca) of Lewisville, TX, Joshua Michael McGee (Vicky) of Knoxville, TN, and Ian Michael Dale, of Raleigh, NC; one great granddaughter Savannah Fleeger of Lewisville, TX; and two nieces whom she loved like daughters, Amberly Lakemaker Gastwirth (Davin) and Ashley Lakemaker DeMaio (Frank).
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Transitions Hospice Care.