Mary Isabelle LeClaire age 86 of Tracy passed away Thursday, February 4, 2016 at Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am Monday, February 8 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy. Visitation will be 4:00 – 7:00 pm Sunday at the Tracy Area Funeral Home with a Rosary Service at 4:00 pm and a prayer service at 6:30 pm. Visitation will then continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Interment is in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mary Isabelle LeClaire was born September 5, 1929 in Iona, Minnesota to William and Nellie (Ellefson) Arkell. She graduated as valedictorian of her class at St. Columbia High School in Iona. After graduation, Mary worked at the Slayton Bank. On July 17, 1954 she married Vernon LeClaire at St. Columbia Catholic Church in Iona. Together the couple farmed in the Currie area and raised five children. They moved to Tracy in 1972. Mary then worked in retail until her retirement. She was able to continue living in her home, thanks to her good friends and neighbors, until entering the nursing home in November 2012.   Mary received great care at Prairie View thanks to the great staff. She was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. In her younger years, Mary enjoyed tennis and bike riding. She also spent her time gardening, baking, and walking. Mary loved animals, especially her dogs, cats, and parrot.

Mary is survived by her children: Dale LeClaire of Iowa, Craig (Stacy) LeClaire of Rogers, Brian “Tony” LeClaire of Decatur, NE, and Kristen (Bob) Atkinson of Savage; grandchildren: Jake, Caleb, Jared, and Marissa LeClaire, Ashley LeClaire, Brian, Kalley, and Chloe Atkinson; and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Vernon in 2005, daughter Mary Lynn Kirkhart in 2006, and brothers Kelly and Maurice Arkell.