Lea Ann Mable Palmateer-Burnham, passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 11, 2023, at the age of 75.
Lea Ann was born on March 31, 1948, in Wadena, Minnesota to Bertha Regina (Kluenenberg) and William Kennedy Allen. Lea Ann was the youngest of the three children. Her brother William “Bill” Allen (wife Alice), preceded her in death March of 2023 and her sister, Joan Richardson, resides with her husband Arland Richardson in Woodland, Washington.
Lea Ann married her first love, Darrell Palmateer, whom she met and fell in love with on a blind date. They later married on June 29, 1968, and were blessed with four children. Lea Ann said she was officially married to her first love for 21 years after Darrell Palmateer passed away on June 29, 1989.
Growing up, Lea Ann attended Winlock public school and then continued onto St. Mary’s Catholic school in Toledo until her senior year. She then attended Mount St. Helen’s High School (which is now called Winlock High School) to complete her senior year. She attended Centralia College and obtained her associate’s degree in Business Management. While attending college, she met and married her second love, William Burnham, to whom she was married for 29 years.
Lea Ann was a selfless giving person, a faithful wife, an amazing mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend. She was also a second mom to a lot of her children’s friends and served many years as a guardian ad litem. She was known for her cake decorating, baking, sewing, crocheting, jewelry making, bead work and crafting. She enjoyed watching TV game shows and the Hallmark Channel, and loved spending time with her family.
Lea Ann is survived by her husband, William Burnham, who still resides at their home in Winlock.
Lea Ann is also survived by the following family members: Daughter Michelle White; grandchild, Stephanie Capen (husband John Capen) great-granddaughter Adira Capen, Justine Garland (husband Derek Garland), and great-granddaughter Elena Garland.
Daughter: Teresa McCormack (husband Mike McCormack), grandchild Rebecca Sanders (husband Winston Sanders), and great-grandsons Raiden Sanders, Jerod Willson and Tyler Webster.
Son: Darrell Kennedy Palmateer (wife Lauren Palmateer), granddaughters: Audrey, Lillian and Emelia Palmateer.
Son: Tim Palmateer (wife Corina Medina Palmateer), grandchildren: Morgan, Kayden and Chloe Palmateer, and Ezmeralda Castillo.
Lea Ann was preceded in death by her late husband Darrell Ivan Palmateer, mother and father William and Bertha Allen, and brother William (Bill) Allen.
A celebration of her life will be held at the Olequa Senior Center, 119 SW Kerron St., Winlock, WA, 98596, on Nov. 4, 2023 at 1 p.m. There will be a potluck following the service, feel free to bring your favorite dish.
