Renate Leedom, 82, of Durham, NC passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving family on June 8, 2024. Renate was born on September 6, 1941 in Dresden, Germany, to Max Wilhelm Hartwig and Irmgard Lieselotte Herklotz Hartwig. Renate was born during World War II, and endured much hardship in her youth, as her father was away with the military and her mother was keeping the family together in war-torn Germany. Toward the end of the war, Renate’s mother took her children and fled from their home in the face of the advancing Red Army. The family settled in the city of Wiesbaden, in what would become West Germany. Renate remained in West Germany until her young adulthood. It was there that she met the love of her life, Jones Albert “Bill” Leedom, who was stationed in Germany with the United States Air Force. After Bill’s military service was complete, Renate moved with Bill to the United States, settling initially in Columbus, Ohio to be near Bill’s family in Columbus and Bainbridge.

 Renate and Bill were married on June 25, 1963 in Ohio. In 1966, Renate and Bill adopted their son Mark David Leedom. Renate quickly honed her English skills and went to work as a loan officer at a local credit union in Ohio, and later in Michigan. Bill’s successful post-military career in insurance sales meant that the family moved several times. After leaving Ohio, they settled in Zeeland, Michigan. It is the friends that they met there that made this area feel the most like home. During their time in Zeeland, Renate passed the test to become a US citizen. The family lived in Zeeland until Mark went off to college. Renate and Bill then moved to Illinois, Wisconsin, and finally North Carolina with Bill’s job. Renate and Bill were married for forty years until his death on January 22, 2004.  

After Bill’s passing, Renate moved from Burlington, NC to Durham, NC to be closer to her son Mark and his family. Renate was a devoted Oma to her grandchildren.  She provided “Oma daycare” for both of her grandchildren before they started preschool. As her grandchildren grew, Renate could often be found attending their sporting events, dance recitals, scouting activities, show choir performances, and school events. Being present for her grandchildren filled her with joy.

 Renate enjoyed the company of others. Everywhere she lived, there were people coming over to play card games and have a cup of coffee. She was most fond of playing euchre. She was grateful for several deep friendships that carried on from her young adult years until her older age: Jane and Chuck Zuverink, Rob Motley, and Earl Adams. She was also extremely happy, upon moving to Durham, to become a member of the German Austrian Swiss Club of the Triangle. She loved making connections with people of her own generation who were from her native land and spoke her native language. She also had several dear friends in her Durham neighborhood, who looked in on her up until her last day. 

Renate enjoyed puzzles and learning new things. Just a couple of months before her passing, she joined her daughter-in-law in learning Spanish online. Renate was a woman of many talents, including cooking the food of her German homeland, crocheting, ikebana (the Japanese art of flower arranging), creating fused glass art, and creating stained glass art. Stained glass art was her passion, and she created numerous beautiful art works and Tiffany-style lamps over many years.

 In addition to her parents and her husband Bill, Renate was preceded in death by her sister Sonja Muller and Sonja’s husband Heinz Muller. She is survived by her son Mark, daughter-in-law Tracey, and grandchildren Derek and Morgan, all of Durham. She is also survived by her brother Peter Hartwig and his wife Christa in Germany, as well as several nieces and nephews.  

Renate had a lifelong love of elephants. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation to the NC Zoo Society would make her soul happy. Please enter “elephant care” in the order notes when you get to the final checkout page. https://www.nczoo.com/forms/store/honorariums-amp-memorials/ 

The family would like to thank Duke HomeCare & Hospice for their compassionate care of Renate during her last months.

A celebration of Renate’s life will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Endswell Funeral Home. The address is 407 Meadowlands Drive, Hillsborough, NC 27278. Light refreshments will be provided.