Yvonne M. (LeCuc) Pretzer

Yvonne LeDuc Pretzer passed away on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. She was born on February 15, 1931, in Detroit, MI, the oldest of the three daughters, to Dr. Don M. and Helen (Benjamin) LeDuc. 

Yvonne spent most of her childhood years in East Lansing and graduated from East Lansing High School in 1948 and University of Michigan with a BA in Speech and Theater in 1952. After receiving her degree, she worked as a Dept. of the Army Civilian in the Ordinance Headquarters in Sandhofen, Germany and taught GI's under a University of Maryland program. Yvonne returned to the U.S. and the University of Michigan in 1955 and received her AMLS (Library Science) degree in 1955 and her Teacher Certification in 1968. During her career, she worked in libraries at many levels from elementary to university, public and county, and volunteered as well.

Yvonne retired from Grand Haven Area Public Schools in 1993 and she and her late husband, Dale, moved to the Oregon Coast where they were active volunteers at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. She also worked as a part-time reference librarian and volunteer at the Siuslaw Public Library in Florence, Oregon where they lived, as well as serving as a school volunteer in the community.

Her interests have always been gardening and enjoying the birds and wildlife around her. Learning about all the western birds and creatures in the sea was what drew Yvonne and Dale to the Aquarium, as well as the special plants she found along the coast which she loved. The book world and an interest in education were a vital part of her childhood and remained important to her throughout her life.

As Dale’s health declined, the couple returned to Michigan, where he preceded her in death in January of 2012. 

She is survived by her daughter, Michelle (Darren) Bourdo of Rio Vista, CA; son, Paul (Amanda) Pretzer of Grand Haven; sister, Delpha-Jean “Hittie”; brother-in-law, Fred “Bud” Dawe of Leesburg, FL, (formerly of Spring Lake); cousins, Valerie Radee and Annette (John) Schilling of Albion; several nieces, nephews, grandchildren, a great-grandson; and special friend, Audrianne Hill of Holland. 

In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by her son, David Scott Barnes; daughter, Sandra McMillin; son-in-law, James McMillin; sister, Lorraine “Rainie” Bevis; granddaughter, Colette Barnes; cousin, Nicette Radee Fitts of Albion; and two nieces and a nephew.

Yvonne is a lifetime member of the University of Michigan Alumni Association, Chi Omega Sorority, and Oregon Coast Aquarium. 

No memorial service is planned and her cremains will be interred at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Lansing, MI. 

Anyone wishing to make a Memorial Contribution in her name may do so by making a donation to the Oregon Coast Aquarium- Urgent Care and Rehabilitation Fund, 2820 SE Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR, 97365.

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