Leland "Lee" K. Girard

With quiet strength and an unending love for family, Lee Girard created a timeless legacy to be treasured. A kind and gentle man, he was well liked and respected by all, and his dry wit and personable nature was always a pleasure for anyone who shared his company. Lee’s greatest joy was found in those he loved while making precious memories along the way. Deeply missed, his love lives on in the hearts of those who knew him best.

While the nation struggled through the worst year of the Great Depression, the year 1933 saw an unprecedented U.S. jobless rate of over 15 million. At the same time, great strides were being made in the culture of America as Radio City Music Hall opened and The Ranger, the first U.S. aircraft carrier, was launched. FDR held his first “Fireside Chat” to boost the spirits of Americans while a thirst for entertainment was a welcome deviation from hard economic times. Despite the changes in the world around them, Kenneth A. and Mary (Nee:Repsel) Girard found much to be thankful for on April 22, 1933 when they lovingly welcomed the birth of their son, Leland “Lee” K. Girard.

Born at home in Kenosha, Wisconsin, young Leland’s father actually delivered him minutes before the doctor arrived at their door. Although mother and baby were fine, they went on to name their precious boy after his uncle, Leland who sadly died in a motorcycle accident shortly before Leland was born. His family soon moved to Chicago, Illinois where Lee spent his growing up years alongside his siblings, Shirley Mae and Kenneth Jr. His father was a tool and die maker by trade while his mother remained at home as a homemaker.

During his youth, Lee enjoyed all a young boy of his generation had to offer. He spent time with neighborhood friends, and found his share of mischief a time or two. However, Lee was a good young man who attended to his studies. He graduated from Amundsen High School in 1951 and went on to further his education at the University of Wisconsin at Madison on a scholarship. A disciplined and dedicated athlete, at 6’5” tall, Lee was indeed an asset on both of the schools track and basketball teams for which he was a prominent star. For a time he also attended the Art Institute of Chicago, and continued his education at IIT after being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1954 where he served two years as a helicopter crew chief.

On May 19, 1956, Lee was united in marriage to the love of his life, Elizabeth “Beth” M. Unterfenger. With his height and hers at 5’9”, they complimented one another quite well. After marrying, he began his career as a draftsman for Minneapolis Honeywell Regulator Company and within a short time was promoted to chief draftsman. At this time he also played basketball for the Minneapolis Honeywell’s sports team in Morton Grove, Illinois. It was during these years of Lee’s life when he became the proud father of three wonderful children, Glenn, Leslie Anne, and Alison.

Lee and Beth raised their family in Des Plaines, Illinois where they enjoyed memorable times with their children and extended family. A caring, kind and gentle father, Lee was devout to his Catholic faith and set a fine example for his children to live by. He coached the 7th and 8th grade basketball teams for the St. Emily’s Eagles for which he thoroughly enjoyed, and his teams looked up to him with great respect. After remaining in Des Plaines for 30 years, once their children grew to have lives of their own and their nest was empty, Lee and Beth relocated to the area of Geneva, Illinois.

In 1960, Lee went into business with his father. Clover Plastics was located on the north side of Chicago where Lee was a design engineer and inventor. He managed and operated the company for 27 years, and continued working and consulting in the plastics industry until fully retiring to Mt. Pleasant 11 years ago.

One of Lee's hobbies included fishing. He even won a prize for catching the biggest fish, a walleye, on a fishing camp trip to Canada. Lee and Beth shared a love for travel, and through the years they enjoyed cruises to the Caribbean and Bermuda. Together they also enjoyed traveling to exciting destinations such a Scotland, England, Portugal, Spain, and to Nova Scotia. In 1972, Lee and Beth took their children on a three week tour and family vacation to Quebec and the east coast where great times were shared and remembered fondly by all.

For 59 years, Lee and Beth raised their family side-by-side and watched their family grow. They were the proud grandparents of four grandsons and two great-granddaughters whom they dearly loved. Lee continued to enjoy other hobbies through the years, including woodworking and reading. He especially liked Robert Fulghum’s book, All I Really Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten. When it came to movies, he liked Wings for the Prosecution, and To Kill a Mockingbird. He also liked the TCM classic movie channel, the Wheel of Fortune, and his favorite musical piece was that of Swan Lake. Lee was an avid fan of the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bears, and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Lee Girard was a man of integrity whose kind disposition was enjoyed by all. A friend of many, he was a fair and contrite businessman who worked hard to provide for the family entrusted to his care. Above all, time spent with his family is what he treasured most. With fond remembrance, Lee’s dry sense of wit, faith and gentle nature will be deeply missed.

With his family at his side, Leland “Lee” Kenneth Girard, age 82, passed away peacefully at home Thursday morning, August 6, 2015. Surviving are his loving wife of 59 years, Beth; children, Glenn (Anne) Girard of Chicago, IL, Leslie Anne (Richard) Doyle of Elburn, IL, Alison (Mike) Donovan of Mt. Pleasant; four grandchildren, Kevin (Evelyn) Girard, Justin Doyle, Quinn and Sawyer Donovan; two great-grandchildren, Genevieve and Vivienne; brother, Kenneth (Kim) Girard, Jr., sister, Shirley (Ronald) Boston; dear nieces, nephews, other cherished relatives, and many dear friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial followed by full military honors will be celebrated Monday, August 10, 2015, 11:00 AM at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St. Racine, with Rev. William Dietzler officiating. Visitation for relatives and friends begins Monday at the church, 9:30 AM until the service. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Allay Home & Hospice, 1532 S. Green Bay Rd, Ste. 200, Racine, WI 53406. Lee’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to all the physicians, nurses and caregivers that treated Lee with such compassion, dignity and respect. To share a favorite memory of Lee, sign his online guest book and view his Life Story film, please visit www.meredithfuneralhome.com. Maresh-Meredith and Acklam Funeral Home-803 Main St., Racine, WI 53403 (262) 634-7888.