Judge Lawrence Leclerc
October 16, 1934 ~ October 4, 2015
Judge Lawrence A. “Larry” Leclerc, Jr., died on Sunday, October 4, 2015, at Sanford Palliative Care unit in Fargo.
Larry was born in Fargo on October 16, 1934, the oldest of five children of Lawrence A. Leclerc and Clara Hoss. He graduated from Shanley High School in Fargo in 1952, attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, for one year, and worked as a fingerprint technician for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C., before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1954. In the Army, he served as a cannoneer and criminal investigator. After the service Larry completed his undergraduate education at the University of North Dakota and went on to obtain his law degree from UND in 1966.
Following law school, Larry joined the Serkland Law Firm in Fargo. His practice primarily involved real estate and property law. In 1979, Governor Arthur Link appointed Larry a district court judge. He won election to a full six-year term in 1980, and was re-elected in 1986, 1992 and 1998. He retired from the bench in 2004.
On December 27, 1958, Larry married Kathryn “Kay” Dahl of Chaffee, North Dakota.
Larry loved automobiles, and knew everything about them -- especially MG’s. In retirement, he derived great satisfaction from taking his painstakingly restored 1946 MG TC to car shows, at several of which he won awards. He was also a regular attendee at the Friday lunch and Saturday morning breakfast gatherings of the British Iron Society (its members are devoted to all makes and models of British cars) at the Fryn’ Pan restaurant.
Larry is survived by his daughters, Martha Kathryn Leclerc (Leo Wilking), Fargo, ND, Joan Leclerc Vartanian (Harout Vartanian), Los Angeles, CA, and Rebecca Mary Leclerc, Edina, MN; by his son, Jeffrey Lawrence Leclerc (Cindy), Apple Valley, MN; two brothers, Bernard (Roberta) and Daniel (Beverley); two sisters, Judy Ertsgaard (Denny) and Jane Bietz (Doug); two granddaughters (Eleanor and Virginia Wilking), four grandsons (Steven Leclerc, Eliot Wilking, Aram Vartanian, and Jake Seiler) and many cousins, nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his wife Kay, who died in 2012.
Funeral services will be held on Friday October 9, 2015 at 1:00 pm at Nativity Catholic Church Fargo, North Dakota. Visitation will be one hour prior to service. Interment to be held at Holy Cross Cemetery (North). Memorials preferred to Roger Maris Cancer Center.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
I was saddened to read of the passing of Judge LeClerc. My deepest sympathies to his family. We were friends from the Cass County Courhouse, and ate many lunches together in the cafeteria. It was always a good day when he would stop in my office just to chat. Because I’ve already moved to Florida for the winter, I will be unable to attend his funeral service, but I will remember his kind soul on that day.
Judge Leclerc was an outstanding Jurist with a great sense of compassion for everyone that came to his court. He was very fair in his judgement with a thorough approach for justice.
On private side, he was a fun person to be with. I remember many years at the Kiwanis Club of Fargo Pancake Karnival working on preparing sausage at four AM and then would serve on line to make pancakes. At Kiwanis meetings he was ready to say a few jokes and put everybody at ease. For lunches at the Sons of Norway he was full of complement to everybody he knew.
Larry was one of a kind all the way round and Fargo lost a devoted son..
Mort Mazaheri
Former Fargo City Commissioner
I have many fond memories of growing up and sharing the attic with the boys during the fifties. My dad,Frank, and “Larry” had many lively discussions. More often than not I sided with Larry much to the chagrin of my father. I once met a bridge player, at tourney from Fargo who had had a case in Judge LeClerc’s court. Shared that she respected the judge. Please accept the condolence from the Dave Hoss Family
I spent a lot of my young life at the Leclerc home. I was a part of their family because they made me feel that way. I send my thoughts and prayers to all the kids.
I have had the pleasure of knowing the Leclerc family since the mid seventies. Early on, Larry helped me out with some minor legal advice, which he did for gratis. Thanks again Larry. Soon after I had the opportunity to meet the rest of the family and get to know them very well over the ensuing years. Larry was a great fellow and we had fun times visiting and teasing each other. He was so proud of Kay and their children–rightfully so. It has been a pleasure to know Judge Leclerc and his family and I will miss the visits that Larry and I have enjoyed over the years. May God bless Larry and the Leclerc family
In sympathy,
Tom Fellman
I was sorry to hear of the passing of Judge Leclerc. I served as his law clerk and enjoyed working with him. I learned a great deal from my time spent with the Judge. God bless your family during this sad time.
With sympathy and prayers,
Crystal Wosick
I HAVE KNOWN LARRY SINCE 1966 AND PEGGY HAS KNOWN HIM MUCH LONGER. HE WAS A BEST FREIND TO BOTH OF US AND INTRODUCED US TO EACH OTHER WHICH LED TO A MARRAGE. HE WAS INTO CARS ANS LIKED AIRPLANES AS DO I AND AS SUCH
WE GOT ALONG GREAT. PEG AND I WILL SURE MISS MEETING HIM FOR DINNER AND TALKING OLD TIMES WHEN WE WERE IN FARGO. I HOPE THERE WILL BE SOME UK IRON FOR HIM TO DRIVE!!!
I have so many wonderful memories of seeing my dad and Larry tinker endlessly with their cars! My deepest condolences to all of his family–he was a wonderful man.
I’m so sorry to learn of Judge Leclerc’s passing. I was the UPS Driver at the courthouse. Larry and I both shared an interest in cars and I would often see Larry as he was going home, he would tell me about his MG and the parts he needed. Larry was a very down to earth and genuine man. My thoughts and prayers to the family.
The loss of this this old friend is particularly poignant.We spent many hours together in the fields of N.D. at this time of year.That he’s walking in the fields of heaven seems perfectly natural. Dit
Family of Judge Lawrence (Larry) Leclerc: Larry and I were friends all his professional life as a lawyer then as a judge and then a retiree. I know Martha, her husband, Leo and, of course, his son and my former law clerk, Jeffrey. I also knew Larry’s father and Larry’s late wife, Kay.
Larry was a fine person. I know his family will miss him. But he lived a good life which will leave fine memories. I also always remember fishing with Larry on Lake Maud many years ago. Yes, we caught walleyes.
I send my condolences and my warm regards to all.
Sincerely, Myron H. Bright
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Leclerc family. I have known daughter Joan since kindergarten at Clara Barton School, high school, college age and adulthood. Joan, so sorry for your loss. Your dad was a great man. My mother passed away on the same day as your dad and is in this website as well.
God Bless, Todd & Kamin Benner
I practiced in front of Judge Leclerc from 1986 until he retired in 2004. I considered Larry a friend. When I was new to Fargo he went out of his way to assist me as a newer attorney in many ways. May God grant all of his loved ones peace and joy from great memories during this time of grief.
Sorry to hear of his death. He was one of a kind.He was a big part of my early practice and I am grateful for that.