Clarence Francis Legel

Clarence Francis (Joe) Legel, Jr. was born December 8, 1930 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Clarence Frances and Elizabeth(Bankert)Legel and passed peacefully surrounded by his immediate family on January 1, 2019. Joe graduated from Cretin High School in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1949 and attended St. John’s University at Collegeville, MN his freshman year.  College was interrupted when he was drafted into the army at which time he married Martha Ann Miller, the love of his life, in 1952.  Upon honorable discharge, he completed his college education at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN while working as a junior accountant at St. Joseph Hospital.  Graduating in June of 1956 with a Bachelors of Arts in Accounting, he worked for four years as an accountant for the CPA firm of Robert G. Englehard and Co. at which time, a daughter, Susan and son, Tom joined the family.

In 1960, Joe and the family moved to Spokane, WA where he began a 44 year career with the Sisters of Providence of Sacred Heart Medical Center. Two years later in 1962, daughter Peggy was born and completed the family.  Joe began as the hospital’s Controller and through the years was Director of Fiscal Services, Province Director of Finance, Assistant Administrator, and retired as Executive Vice- President.  A meeting room and an annual stewardship award were named in honor of Joe and his many contributions to Sacred Heart and to the Sisters of Providence. Joe was appointed to the National Healthcare Financial Management Association Board of Directors serving from 1972 until 1976 at which time he was the national President.  Joe was greatly respected in the healthcare finance field and was asked to serve as the Governor’s appointee to the Washington Healthcare Financial Authority Board and did so for 10 years.

Joe loved to tell jokes, his black labs, fishing and hunting, playing cards, Sees caramels, music, Sunday drives, and visiting family and friends.  He had a strong anchoring belief and faith in God.  Next to his beloved Martha, his rock, his great love and pride was for his children and grandchildren.

Joe is survived by his very beloved wife Martha of 66 years, his children Susan, Tom(Robin), and Peggy(Ken) as well as seven grandchildren: Joe (Morgane),  Scott( Cassie), Erin, Ryan, Sean(Sarah), Craig (fiancé Amber) and Kevin(fiancé Ashley) and two step-grandchildren: Jim (Karrine) and  Courtney(Kyle).  He is also survived by two great grandchildren (Cooper and Delaney) and four step- great grandchildren  (Sophie, Abbie, Everett and Isabelle).  He is also survived by his sister, Rosemary Hildman and many cousins, nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Dorothy.

We would like to thank the many family, friends, physicians and nurses for their friendship and support during the last few years and especially Hospice House South for their support and caregiving provided with love, gentleness, respect and dignity.

Rosary vigil service will be on Friday, January 11th, 2019 at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 3327 South Perry St, Spokane, WA and funeral mass will be on Saturday, January 12th, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at the same location. In lieu of flowers, those whom wish to honor Joe are invited to make a donation to Hospice House of Spokane or to the Sister Peter Claver Fund.

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