Kelsie Maureen LeClerc

Kelsie Maureen LeClerc (39) of Moorhead, MN passed away July 31, 2025 surrounded by family and friends at Sanford Medical Hospital in Fargo, ND following a nine month battle with lung cancer. Though her life on earth was all too brief, she made it count beyond measure.

Born with a congenital heart defect on January 20, 1986 to Warren and Colette LeClerc of Grand Forks, ND. From birth, Kelsie was small in size and mighty in spirit. She was baptized and raised in the Christian faith. At 18 months she fought through her first heart surgery and a follow-up infection that nearly claimed her life. Family and friends called her “Peanut” until her dear Aunt Rosalie suggested “Cashew” as a more appropriate nickname. Because after all, little Kelsie was by no means a common nut. The nickname stuck for life. Back then, nobody could predict the physical and emotional challenges that would befall Kelsie throughout her life. Challenges beyond what many could bear. In hindsight, The Lord clearly designed her with an extra dose of grit and tremendous capacity for love and compassion toward all living things.

Kelsie grew up in Grand Forks, graduating from Red River High School in 2004. Believing college was beyond her abilities and unsure where her interests lie, she worked a number of different jobs in the years that followed. A career in massage therapy eventually caught her interest. After completing the necessary training and certification, and beginning her practice, Kelsie was certain she’d found her calling. She loved the work, finding joy and satisfaction in helping clients feel better. Unfortunately, on-going challenges with her physical health eventually forced Kelsie to abandon her career as a massage therapist. She found meaningful work in the years that followed, but a clear vocational calling and the confidence to pursue it eluded her.

The 2018 passing of her beloved father, a Vietnam combat veteran who struggled mightily with PTSD throughout his life, was devastating for Kelsie. Yet the knowledge that he was finally at peace allowed her a measure of healing and acceptance. She emerged from the loss with clarity of purpose. She wanted to tell the stories of veterans like her father, men and women who’d sacrificed much and often spoke little of their experience. Back to school she went, completing an Associate of Arts Degree from Northland Community and Technical College in 2021 and a Bachelor of Arts in Public History from NDSU in 2024. The girl who never thought herself college material, graduated Summa Cum Laude and was awarded a graduate assistantship position in NDSU’s Master of History program. She began graduate school In the fall of 2024 full of passion and excitement. As an undergrad, she created a moving podcast that wove together the oral histories of three veterans with empathy and insight. Sadly, ambitious plans for expanding on this important work in her graduate program were dashed after one semester by a devastating diagnosis of stage four cancer.

Kelsie’s academic pursuits and personal interest in the area of public history provided many cherished opportunities to interact with people who shared her interests and passions. Rewarding friendships forged with faculty, fellow students and coworkers were precious. She loved working with people at the Fargo Air Museum, the Clay County Historical Society, the Hjemkost and the Comstock House.

By her own account, Kelsie LeClerc was nothing special. This small sampling of comments shared by friends and coworkers upon her passing suggest otherwise: Kelsey was…Wild in the most beautiful way; smart, quick-witted and seldom afraid to speak her mind; kinder and more loving to animals than anyone you’ll ever know; quirky, funny, and generous; a truly wonderful human; full of life; full of love and always ready with something completely outrageous to say; maybe five foot tall with a good back-comb, hairspray and heels; a beautiful person inside and out; a ray of sunshine; an advocate for any creature who couldn’t speak for themselves; a lifetime member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Association; damn fun to be around; willing to fight for you in ways she sometimes couldn’t for herself; a leader who encouraged others; a truly honest and fiercely loyal friend; someone who did everything she could to make sure others knew they were loved; an advocate for women, children, veterans, the elderly and disabled; loud, unhinged and completely unforgettable.

She is survived by her mother, Colette LeClerc of Detroit Lakes, MN (formerly Grand Forks, ND); her dog and best friend Buster; her cat Cooper; several loving aunts, uncles and cousins; and better friends than anyone could ask for.

She was preceded in death by her father, Warren LeClerc; paternal grandparents Alex and Mae LeClerc; maternal grandmother Mary Hefter, numerous aunts and uncles; and dogs Nola and Shadow.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M., followed by the Celebration of life service at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at the Fargo Air Museum, 1609 19th Ave. N., Fargo, ND. A livestream of the service will be available on Kelsie's webpage at https://www.wrightfuneral.com/obituaries/kelsie-leclerc. In lieu of flowers, donations are prefered to Journey Home Animal Rescue or to support the establishment of a scholarship in Kelsie’s name at NDSU.