Burlene Mabel LeClair, age 79, passed away on April 17, 2024 after dementia-related decline. She was born in Pueblo, Colorado, to Burl and Mabel (Lowrance) Caffey on December 10, 1944. Burlene was raised on Caffey’s Guernsey Dairy and was active in 4H. She was proud of her accomplishments in showing cows and public speaking despite her introverted nature. At the Colorado State Fair, she won the Grand Champion Dairy Showmanship in 1959 and placed first in the speech contest in 1960. She attended Colorado State University where she was a member and Vice President of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, graduating with a degree in Vocational Home Economics Education in 1966.
While teaching in Lamar, Colorado, she met her husband Curtis and they married in 1971. They moved throughout the Midwest due to his career in the trucking industry, raising their children primarily in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
After relocating to Seguin to be close to their daughter’s family, Burlene enjoyed being the Director of Emanuel’s Lutheran Day School for ten years, retiring in 2014. During her tenure, she loved her staff, the children (including her three grandsons), and their families. Affectionately known as “Mimi” to her grandchildren and many children at the Day School, she will be remembered for her kindness, dedication to teaching, love of sewing and occasional feistiness.
Burlene is survived by her daughter Kirsten Legore, son-in-law David and grandsons Beckett, Kaden, and Paxson of Seguin, Texas; son Loren LeClair, wife Erica, and children Josephine, Nadia, Eloise, Lucas, and Maxwell of Iowa City, Iowa; sister Peggy Cumming and husband Darris of Julesburg, Colorado; sisters-in-law Barbara Caffey of Bowie, Maryland, Lana Schiltz of Lincoln, Nebraska, Ina Akerson and husband George of Lincoln, Nebraska, Roberta LeClair of Funk, Nebraska; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Curtis who passed on October 16, 2006; her brother Ronald Caffey D.V.M.; brothers-in-law David LeClair, Randy LeClair, Tony Schiltz, Dennis Hokanson and sister-in-law Phyllis Hokanson.
Arrangements and burial are private. Burlene’s family wishes to heartfully thank her caregivers and friends Lanette Janz and Cindy Ehring, the staff at Guadalupe Valley Nursing Center’s Memory Support Unit, Guadalupe Regional Medical Center and Hospice Services, especially those who assisted with Burlene’s final days. Hug your mom if you can.
You are invited to sign the guest book at www.treshewell.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Tres Hewell Mortuary, 165 Tor Dr., Seguin, Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912.