Anne Schlekeway Obituary

Schlekeway, Anne Marie An open house celebration for Anne Marie Schlekeway, 44, of Chicago, formerly of Minooka, IL, will be held on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 8 p.m. at Skinny's Banquet Hall, 107 West Mondamin, Minooka, with her family, friends and neighbors. She gave her body to science and research of ALS, (Lou Gehrig's disease). It stole her tongue. A former Landmark Education Staff member, a singer and performer renowned by her friends for her bold personality and ability to make people laugh. She formed an executive coaching program 'The Master Plan' after her symptoms began to manifest. Since being diagnosed, she founded KissmyALS.Com, a blog with a frank look at what it takes to live with a disease and still live a fulfilled life. She has also created 'Speechless Speeches', (informative, humorous and touching PowerPoint presentations) which she gave to organizations for motivation and inspiration, with half the proceeds going to ALS research. A book pending, where she looks to make a difference with people's health and fulfillment in companies - having it recognized that health and productivity go hand in hand. She is out to transform the way people are managed in corporate America and how they manage themselves. Anne Marie has been featured in the Chicago Tribune twice, as well as on Chicago Television 'Chicago Tonight' WTTW, WGN and ABC - 11 a.m. news with Karen Meyers on Thursday, December 23rd. "You can't wallow in self-pity, when you have an expiration date on your forehead, you're lost if you don't have a purpose." And "I believe it took losing my power of speech to find my true voice." Are two of her renowned quotes. She was happier in the end than she had ever been, knowing she inspired and empowered people to live their own lives as if life is short, and to truly value themselves. People who think they could never be as brave as Anne Marie in the face of a terminal illness are lying she said - people continually underestimate their own power. She is survived by proud and loving parents, Ronald and Marjorie Schlekeway, one brother Ronald "Tom", (Dannelle), two children, Brock and Taylor, from a former marriage to Laurie (Dustin) Burkhart; Ty and triplets - Beau, Brody, and Mylee, Aurora, CO. Many uncles, aunts, cousins and hundreds of loving friends. Preceded in death grandparents, Manguel and Edna Nelson of Sisseton, SD and Ray and Cecelia Schlekeway of Lake City, SD. Uncles James Stapleton of Parker, SD, Uncle LaVerne Schlekeway and aunt Lois Hall of Anchorage, AK. Ashes will be shared with her 2 favorite lakes - Lake Michigan, IL and Clear Lake, SD. It is requested that memorials be given to ALS. In the Spring, another ALS fundraiser will be held in Chicago in Anne Marie's memory. A notice will be posted on facebook.