Edward J. Leclere
November 24, 1921 — April 25, 2017
Edward J. LeClere, 95, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was welcomed into the loving arms of our LORD on Tuesday, April 25, 2017. He passed peacefully at his home. Visitation: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, April 30, 2017, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Funeral Service: 1:00 p.m. Monday, May 1, 2017, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids. Interment: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Edward is survived by his children, Dennis (Colleen) LeClere of Monterey Bay, California, Bruce (Jenny) LeClere of Burnsville, Minnesota, Fredrick (Nita) LeClere of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Joann Tiedemann of Cedar Rapids, Forrest (Traci Bell) LeClere of Cedar Rapids; 20 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Frances (Euken) LeClere; brothers, Raymond, George, Kenneth, William, Robert, and Casper; sisters, Irene Pendarvis, Ann Holscher, Mary Janssen; and granddaughter Anna Tiedemann-Morgan.
Edward was born on a snowy Thanksgiving day, November 24, 1921, in Central City, Iowa, the son of Frederick Louis and Anna Laura (Schleicher) LeClere. Born prematurely at 3 pounds and not expected to survive; Ed went on to live a full life for 95 years. Edward was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. He treasured his confirmation verse, “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life” Revelation 2:10. He graduated from McKinley High School in Cedar Rapids and joined the United States Navy in 1942. Edward served his country during World War II and the Korean Conflict as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate. Edward married Frances Therese Euken on October 3, 1943, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. He was employed for 40 years by Iowa Steel and Iron Works until they closed. He then worked for Iowa Manufacturing as a Safety Inspector until he retired in 1982. Edward was a dedicated lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was always involved with many positions at the church including Senior Citizen Service, OWL (“Old Worn-out Lutherans”) Group, choir, and the men’s chorus. He was also a proud member of the American Legion Post # 292, Marion, Iowa. Edward loved being outdoors. He enjoyed camping, boating, and waterskiing. He was known for his sledding hill, backyard barbeques, cross country road trips all while documenting each event on film. He was always ready with a witty remark such as: “it takes a mighty big dog to weigh a ton”, “blue blue”, “two in a bag with wire wrapped around it”, “ya know the guy with curly teeth and straight hair”, “oh, about two and a hill”, “ziggy ziggy chop chop”, “oatmeal?’. Edward also enjoyed the special times he shared with his grandchildren while attending their activities.
The family would like to extend a special “Thank You” to the staff at UnityPoint Hospice for their loving care of Edward.
Edward is survived by his children, Dennis (Colleen) LeClere of Monterey Bay, California, Bruce (Jenny) LeClere of Burnsville, Minnesota, Fredrick (Nita) LeClere of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Joann Tiedemann of Cedar Rapids, Forrest (Traci Bell) LeClere of Cedar Rapids; 20 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Frances (Euken) LeClere; brothers, Raymond, George, Kenneth, William, Robert, and Casper; sisters, Irene Pendarvis, Ann Holscher, Mary Janssen; and granddaughter Anna Tiedemann-Morgan.
Edward was born on a snowy Thanksgiving day, November 24, 1921, in Central City, Iowa, the son of Frederick Louis and Anna Laura (Schleicher) LeClere. Born prematurely at 3 pounds and not expected to survive; Ed went on to live a full life for 95 years. Edward was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. He treasured his confirmation verse, “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life” Revelation 2:10. He graduated from McKinley High School in Cedar Rapids and joined the United States Navy in 1942. Edward served his country during World War II and the Korean Conflict as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate. Edward married Frances Therese Euken on October 3, 1943, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. He was employed for 40 years by Iowa Steel and Iron Works until they closed. He then worked for Iowa Manufacturing as a Safety Inspector until he retired in 1982. Edward was a dedicated lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was always involved with many positions at the church including Senior Citizen Service, OWL (“Old Worn-out Lutherans”) Group, choir, and the men’s chorus. He was also a proud member of the American Legion Post # 292, Marion, Iowa. Edward loved being outdoors. He enjoyed camping, boating, and waterskiing. He was known for his sledding hill, backyard barbeques, cross country road trips all while documenting each event on film. He was always ready with a witty remark such as: “it takes a mighty big dog to weigh a ton”, “blue blue”, “two in a bag with wire wrapped around it”, “ya know the guy with curly teeth and straight hair”, “oh, about two and a hill”, “ziggy ziggy chop chop”, “oatmeal?’. Edward also enjoyed the special times he shared with his grandchildren while attending their activities.
The family would like to extend a special “Thank You” to the staff at UnityPoint Hospice for their loving care of Edward.
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