Gertrude "Bee" (VanVlierbergen) McClelland

Gertrude “Bee” Cleopatra McClelland (nee VanVlierbergen), age 92, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital.

Gertrude is survived by her son, K. Thomas (Deb) McClelland; brother, Robert VanVlierbergen; sister-in-law, Adeline VanVlierbergen; grandsons, Andrew McClelland and James (Paola) Townsend; great-grandson, Braven Townsend; nieces and nephews, Frank (Joan) Schueler, Frank (Barb) VanVlierbergen, Trudy (Michael) Kamper, Lynn (Roy) Palmer, Debby (Marty) Temchuk, and Terre Collins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kerwin “Mac” Thomas McClelland; parents, Frank and Gertrude VanVlierbergen; brother, Frank VanVlierbergen; sister, Marie “Honey” (Fred) Schueler; brothers-in-law, Edwin (Dorothy) McClelland and John McClelland; sister-in-law, Beatrice (Charles) Greef; niece, Mary McClelland; and nephew, Charles (Stormy) McClelland.

Gertrude was a proud executive administrator for the Old Republic Life Insurance Company, along with many others. She was an extremely compassionate community volunteer doing work for United Way, PTA and Scouting. She enjoyed planning and cooking for holiday meals with her family. Gertrude was a devoted mother and grandmother who will be greatly missed.

Gertude was a longtime resident of Park Ridge and later moved to Chicago near her brother, Robert and lastly to Downers Grove where she was greatly cared for by Adoracion “Dorie” Mancol.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gertrude's name to JDRF would be greatly appreciated. Bee supported JDRF as her grandson, Andrew lives with Type 1 Diabetes.

A celebration of Gertrude’s life will be held on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 with a visitation at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, Joliet from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. A service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 12:00 noon. Interment will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1400 S. Wolf Rd, Hillside, IL 60162. Guests are welcome to meet at the cemetery chapel at 2:00 p.m. for a committal service.