Betty LeClear

Age 88, passed away on October 16, 2012 at her home in Holt.  The funeral will be on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Holt United Methodist Church at 2321 N. Aurelius Road in Holt, with burial following at the Maple Ridge Cemetery on Willoughby Road in Holt.  Visitation with family will be 2-5 p.m. on Monday, October 22, 2012 at the Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel at 2121 N. Cedar Street in Holt.

Betty Marie Plowman was born August 26, 1924 in her parents farm home in Greenbush Township in Clinton County, MI to Howard Rufus and Queen Esther [Coffman] Plowman, the third of four daughters.  Betty graduated at age 16 from St. Johns High School in 1941, and immediately entered nurses training at St. Lawrence Hospital in Lansing, and then into the Army Nursing Corps, and receiving her nursing license in March 1946.

Betty married her sweetheart Arlo Sheridan LeClear on June 19, 1948 in Durand, MI.  She and Arlo were blessed with children Sherri Candace in 1955 and David Winston in 1956.  In addition to raising two wonderful children and being a loving wife, Betty worked the floors of St. Lawrence Hospital and Ingham Medical Center for many years, in various nursing capacities finally retiring as Liasion Nurse at Ingham Medical Center in 1986.  Like all competent nurses, she let administration and doctors know who the real boss was.  After retirement, Betty stayed busy by volunteering.  She volunteered at Hospice of Lansing, and Ingham Regional Medical Center, her former employer.  She also helped out the American Red Cross with blood drives, and RSVP with immunizations and flu shot clinics.  She did this while teaching water aerobics at the Oak Park YMCA for 13 years.  Betty grew up during the Depression and understood hard work, small rewards, and great satisfaction.  She had the compassion and caring soul that only nurses – and mothers – have.  Above all, she was a doting wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Grateful for sharing Betty’s life is her daughter Sherri [Kevin] King of Holt, sister Geraldine Workman of Alma, MI, brother-in-law Melvin [Elizabeth Young] LeClear of Owensboro, KY, grandchildren Robert [Sarah Godbehere] Roosa of Holt; Thyme, Arlo, Jeremiah, and Mandolyn LeClear of Florida; step-grandchildren Jay [Divina] King of Arlington, VA, and Katie King of Rock Hill, SC; great-granddaughter Veronica Roosa of Holt; and numerous loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Betty was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Dorothy and Rosella, her husband, son David, and most recently her beloved grandson Nicholas Roosa on October 13, 2012.  She will be missed by family and her ever-steady neighbors the Flinns, Bruinings, and Hoadleys.

Memorials in Betty’s name may be given to the Capital Area Humane Society.

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7 Messages to “Betty LeClear

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BJ Zwolensky
October 19, 2012 at 2:36 pm

I am so sorry Sherrie. You have been through it all this past week. I don’t even know whT to sat except you are in my prayers and thoughts.

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Lynda G Wonn
October 19, 2012 at 4:48 pm

My dear Sherrie, although we have never met, I worked for many years with your mother at Ingham Medical Center. She was a hard-working professional with strong shoulders, a big heart and infectious laugh. I am sorry for your losses and pray that you and your family will find peace. -lgw

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Steve Winegar
October 20, 2012 at 10:34 am

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Betty. I had the privilege of working with Betty for many years at Ingham. She was tough but fair. Any conversation I ever had with Betty, regardless of how it started, ended with a smile, laugh and more often than not, a hug. She was an unyielding advocate of patients and nursing. She loved her family and spoke of them often. My hope is that Betty’s family finds peace in knowing that she was loved and respected.

Steve Winegar

vvu2

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Laura McMurtry
October 21, 2012 at 11:31 am

Sherri, you and Kevin continue to be in my thoughts and prayers at this time

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Christina Stouffer
October 21, 2012 at 4:06 pm

I am so very sad and sorry to hear Of Betty’s passing and that of her grandson. She a wise, witty and wonderful lady who never failed to make me smile whenever I was in the room with her. I will miss you Betty, as will all of your loving family, including Fritzy. Sherri, I am so very sorry for your loss.

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Chris Goeschel
December 24, 2012 at 7:56 pm

It warmed my heart to see this photo of your mom, and I heard her
mischievous laugh as I immediately thought of how much I owe her. I worked with her for many years at Ingham and the memories are flooding me right now. Your mother taught to keep patients first, to be proud of being a nurse, and to be friends with everyone inthe organization…because they all cared just as much as we did about providing the best care possible. In your sorrow I hope you find peace knowing how many lives she touched…I will keep all of you in my prayers..

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Thyme Leclear
August 22, 2013 at 12:35 am

As complicated as our relationship was at times. I am devastated by the recent losses in my family, my interestingly misunderstood Father, my Cousin I don’t even know what to say here, so young, then, my poor sweet Grandma. So many terrible loses. God Bess You All!
All my love,
Thyme Leclear

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