LeClere, Beatrice M.

Beatrice M. LeClere, 94, of Cedar Rapids, died at Heritage Nursing and Rehab on Tuesday, July 26, 2011. Graveside services: 1 p.m. Thursday at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery by Lance Finch. Arrangements by Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel.

Survivors include her daughter, Judy Brown of Cedar Rapids; son, Jim (Marilou) LeClere of Clearwater, Fla.; a sister, Peggy Keck of Boyerstown, Pa; 16 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Raymond; sons, Alan “Buzz” and Jack LeClere; sister, Helen Hemminger; and brother, John Yuza.

Bea was born April 29, 1917, to John and Mollie Yuza, and raised in Cedar Rapids. She married Raymond LeClere and they had four children. Bea loved home, flowers, yard sales; was an avid reader and also worked daily crosswords. She lived in the same home for over 70 years until it was taken by the flood of 2008. Bea was a waitress at the Kozy Inn in the 1950s and then was a secretary at The MethWick Community until her retirement in 1980. She was always there for everyone, thinking first of others. Her flowers and unique yard ornaments is where she spent her time.

We are left with memories of wonderful holiday gatherings and her example of tremendous inner strength. She was loved and will be missed by all whose life she touched.

Memorials may be made to St. Luke's Hospice or the Witwer Center Meals on Wheels program.

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