1926
Bernard
2016
Bernard L'Esperance
September 30, 1926 — June 20, 2016
Dr. Bernard Francis L'Esperance was born on September 30, 1926, in Trenton, Ontario, Canada the son
of Alfred George and Albina (Allore) L'Esperance. He graduated from Catholic school in Trenton, Ontario and continued on to graduate from A.L. Richard University of Ottawa, Canada, as a medical doctor, cum laude. He had served in the Royal Canadian Airforce Reserve from 1949-1950. He married the love of his life and soul mate Elizabeth Ann Blute on June 2, 1951 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Trenton, Ontario, and their journey began. In 1952 he attained an appointed fellowship in general surgery at Mayo Clinic, which he completed in 1956. He began his medical practice at Lake View Memorial Hospital in Two Harbors, Minnesota. The only surgeon in the area, he was on 24/7 and assisted in Grand Marais and Silver Bay as well. During his career, as a very innovative, dedicated surgeon, Dr. L'Esperance attained the honor of fellow with the American College of Surgeons, an elite scientific and educational association. After a very rigorous evaluation of his standards and practices, it was determined that he merited the title Dr. Bernard L'Esperance MD, FACS. Throughout his career, he initiated, developed and enhanced many surgical procedures, especially in the area of cancer eradication. A well loved and respected surgeon, Dr. L'Esperance retired in 1989, from Lake View Hospital, after 33 years and 17000 operations. He will be remembered not only for his professionalism, but his kind, compassionate care and gentle bedside manner.
Strong in faith, Dr. L'Esperance was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Two Harbors, where he had served often as a lector. He also found time to serve on the board of directors for the First National Bank in Two Harbors. A sportsman at heart, his life had also been filled with participation in hockey, curling, bowling, hunting, fishing and golf.
Throughout all of his career years, Bernard enjoyed his daily lunch date with his beautiful wife Elizabeth, whom he so deeply loved. Although very dedicated to his profession, Bernard balanced work and family. Consummate professional, dedicated family man, Bernard never lost his stellar sense of humor.
Following his retirement, he and Elizabeth spent their years in Sun City West, AZ, and continued to enjoydancing, traveling and spending time with family.
Dr. L'Esperance, 89, died on Monday, June 20, 2016 at Oak Park Place in Albert Lea, Minnesota, where he and Elizabeth had been living to be closer to daughter Mary Beth. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years Elizabeth, his children: James L'Esperance of Tucson, AZ, Mary Beth (Frank) Mueller of Clarks Grove, MN, Amy (Ken) LaBounty of Superior, WI, Bernie (Theresa) L'Esperance of Tomahawk, WI, Debbie (Lee) Wick of Maple Grove, MN, Michael (Kim) L'Esperance of Two Harbors, MN; 21 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and 4 step-siblings.
Private family services were held for Dr. Bernard L'Esperance at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea. Interment will be held at a later date at Lakeview Cemetery in Two Harbors, Minnesota.
Acknowledgements may be sent to the family in care of Mary and Frank Mueller, P.O. Box 81, Clarks Grove, MN 56016.
of Alfred George and Albina (Allore) L'Esperance. He graduated from Catholic school in Trenton, Ontario and continued on to graduate from A.L. Richard University of Ottawa, Canada, as a medical doctor, cum laude. He had served in the Royal Canadian Airforce Reserve from 1949-1950. He married the love of his life and soul mate Elizabeth Ann Blute on June 2, 1951 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Trenton, Ontario, and their journey began. In 1952 he attained an appointed fellowship in general surgery at Mayo Clinic, which he completed in 1956. He began his medical practice at Lake View Memorial Hospital in Two Harbors, Minnesota. The only surgeon in the area, he was on 24/7 and assisted in Grand Marais and Silver Bay as well. During his career, as a very innovative, dedicated surgeon, Dr. L'Esperance attained the honor of fellow with the American College of Surgeons, an elite scientific and educational association. After a very rigorous evaluation of his standards and practices, it was determined that he merited the title Dr. Bernard L'Esperance MD, FACS. Throughout his career, he initiated, developed and enhanced many surgical procedures, especially in the area of cancer eradication. A well loved and respected surgeon, Dr. L'Esperance retired in 1989, from Lake View Hospital, after 33 years and 17000 operations. He will be remembered not only for his professionalism, but his kind, compassionate care and gentle bedside manner.
Strong in faith, Dr. L'Esperance was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Two Harbors, where he had served often as a lector. He also found time to serve on the board of directors for the First National Bank in Two Harbors. A sportsman at heart, his life had also been filled with participation in hockey, curling, bowling, hunting, fishing and golf.
Throughout all of his career years, Bernard enjoyed his daily lunch date with his beautiful wife Elizabeth, whom he so deeply loved. Although very dedicated to his profession, Bernard balanced work and family. Consummate professional, dedicated family man, Bernard never lost his stellar sense of humor.
Following his retirement, he and Elizabeth spent their years in Sun City West, AZ, and continued to enjoydancing, traveling and spending time with family.
Dr. L'Esperance, 89, died on Monday, June 20, 2016 at Oak Park Place in Albert Lea, Minnesota, where he and Elizabeth had been living to be closer to daughter Mary Beth. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years Elizabeth, his children: James L'Esperance of Tucson, AZ, Mary Beth (Frank) Mueller of Clarks Grove, MN, Amy (Ken) LaBounty of Superior, WI, Bernie (Theresa) L'Esperance of Tomahawk, WI, Debbie (Lee) Wick of Maple Grove, MN, Michael (Kim) L'Esperance of Two Harbors, MN; 21 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and 4 step-siblings.
Private family services were held for Dr. Bernard L'Esperance at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea. Interment will be held at a later date at Lakeview Cemetery in Two Harbors, Minnesota.
Acknowledgements may be sent to the family in care of Mary and Frank Mueller, P.O. Box 81, Clarks Grove, MN 56016.
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