July 10, 2016
Milton Leroy LaClair
“Nosh nesh”
MAYETTA- Milton Leroy LaClair “Nosh nesh”, 92, of Mayetta, KS passed away Sunday, July 10, 2016 in Holton. He was born June 14, 1924 on the Potawatomi Common Land west of Mayetta, the son of William and Mary Lasley LaClair.
Milton graduated from Marty Indian School in South Dakota in 1941 and later from Clarks School of Business. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII and was part of the second wave of soldiers that stormed Omaha Beach in Normandy, France on D-Day. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and many other decorations.
Milton was a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and lived most of his life here on the common land. He lived in Topeka for 20 years and had also lived several years in Denver, Washington state and in Oregon. Milton worked as a consultant for the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. He had also managed the PBPN Administrative Office in Holton for several years. After his retirement, Milton served as Chairman of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Gaming Commission. He was a member of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church.
He was married to Alvina Wamego and later divorced. He was married to Rose Marie Banks September 23, 1983 in Topeka, KS. She survives of the home. Milton is also survived by his son, Franklin C. LaClair (Barbara) of Topeka, KS; his daughters, Sara Gartenmayer and Shirley Trull (Paul) both of Mayetta, KS; his sister, Arlene Lingo of Mayetta, KS; 4 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his children, James Dean LaClair and Marlene LaClair, his siblings, Leoma, Winifred, Melvin and William and granddaughter, Helen.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 15, 2016 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Mayetta. Interment will follow in Shipshee Cemetery. He will lie in state at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton where a Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. Thursday evening. His family will greet friends following the Rosary. Memorials may be given to Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.