So sorry to report the LaDene Votruba passed away. She started working at Hallmark in 1973.

We were so lucky to have her attend the 13th Tampa bay Flamingo fling in 2007... Many years later she attended a COOL - Collecting Ornaments online club lunch with members. It was held during a Kansas City convention.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/kansascity/name/ladene-votruba-obituary?id=44090718

So sorry to hear of her passing. I have many of her ornaments but never met her as she had left Hallmark before I started collecting.

Her passing got me to thinking about all the wonderful Keepsake artists that we've lost in the last few years. The ones I can remember passing were:
2022 - Duane Unruh
2019 - Steve Goslin
2017 - Mary Hamilton
2011 - Donna Lee

Are there any others that I've forgotten?

There are more Hallmark artists because years ago, their names weren't put on the boxes.

Prayers for LaDene and her family !!!