Terrence LeClaire

Terrence J. "Terry" LeClaire, age 70 of Melrose, died unexpectedly on Thursday, December 23, 2010 at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 31 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Ken Thielman officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Military honors are provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Melrose Veteran Honor Guard will pray at 6 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Terrence Joseph LeClaire was born March 30, 1940 to Louis and Ottillia "Tillie" (Scherer) LeClaire in New Munich, Minnesota. Terry served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was united in marriage to Kathleen "Kathy" Tobroxen on January 20, 1968 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. Terry was an over the road truck driver who lived in the New Munich and Melrose area his entire life.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. Terry enjoyed outdoor activities, especially fishing and hunting.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy LeClaire of Melrose; children, Charles (Toni) LeClaire of West Union, Char LeClaire (special friend, John) of Avon, and Bob (Barb) LeClaire of St. Martin; six grandchildren, Christina, Bryan, Chantel, Axeen, Trenton, and Ashley LeClaire; brothers and sister, Dave (Ann) LeClaire of Hutchinson, Pete (Toni) LeClaire of Melrose, Basil (Sharon) LeClaire of Brainerd, Reuben LeClaire of New Munich, Richard (Nina) LeClaire of Monticello, Jean LeClaire of Sauk Centre, and Cathy (Donald) Pelka of St. Wendel.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Boniface LeClaire, Celestine LeClaire, and Louis, Jr. "Sonny" LeClaire.

Serving as casket bearers will be Jed LeClaire, Virgil Stich, Josh LeClaire, Greg Tobroxen, Yancy Vanort, and Robert Tobroxen. Cross bearer will be Steve Tobroxen and scripture bearer will be Dale Tobroxen. Honorary bearers will be Bryan LeClaire, Axeen LeClaire, Ashley LeClaire, Chantel LeClaire, Trenton LeClaire, and Christina LeClaire.