Luke P. LeClaire
STAPLES - Luke P. LeClaire, age 58, of Staples, formerly of New Munich, died Saturday, July 18, 2009, in Byron Township, Cass County, Minnesota.
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 24, 2009, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich with the Rev. Roger Klassen, OSB, officiating. A private family inurnment will take place at a later date.
Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and one hour prior to the Mass at church on Friday. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.
Luke LeClaire
Luke Pierre LeClaire was born May 5, 1951, in Melrose, Minn., to Walter "Cook" and Betty (Silbernick) LeClaire. He graduated from Melrose High School in 1970. Luke was employed at Osmos Wood Preserving Company and later at Morey's Fish Company in Motley. He has been a resident of Staples for the past 30 years. Luke enjoyed working with wood, making clocks, caskets and oak furniture. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved deer hunting at his cabin up north. Luke especially loved spending time with his nine grandchildren.
Survivors include his five daughters, Julie Nelson, of Alexandria, Nicole (Mike) Jasmer, of Randall, Melissa Hillard, of Alexandria, Jennifer Hillard, of Alexandria, and Susie Alters, of Pillager; nine grandchildren; brothers and sister, Jesse (Cheryl) LeClaire, of New Munich, Matt LeClaire, of Chickaloon, Alaska, Mark LeClaire, of Englewood, Fla., and Joyce LeClaire, of Melrose.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter "Cook" and Betty LeClaire; granddaughter, Justine Paige Bulgrean; and sister, Lois LeClaire.
Arrangements were made by Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose.