HARRY LAWRENCE
Harry Lawrence went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 9, 2012.
Harry Lawrence went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 9, 2012.
He was born to Frank and Mary (Gagne) Lawrence on Jan. 10, 1925 in Carlton, Minn., as the youngest of 10 children.
He graduated from Carlton High School in 1943 and enlisted in the Army Air Guard serving with the 313th Wing of the 20th Air Force on the Island of Tinian during World War II. Tinian was the base of 600 B29's and the historic Enola Gay. After the war, he attended UMD for two years. He worked for the Carlton County Vidette and the Cloquet Pine Knot where he served in many capacities and became publisher/editor of the Pine Knot.
Harry was united in marriage to Shirley Ebel on May 7th, 1948 in Carlton. They have five children, 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. For many years, Harry drove the neighborhood kids to school and entertained them with his own rendition of "Peek a Seek a Porcupine". He was extremely proud of all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and thought they were the most beautiful/handsome and intelligent children in the world. Harry passed on his "DNA" of golf to his sons and many of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also loved visits from the children in Colleen's daycare as they would stop by on their walks and he loved to pass out treats and make them laugh.
Harry was very active in community affairs. He served as fund drive chairman for the original Pine Valley Ice Shelter, and helped raise funds for the Cloquet Community Memorial Hospital, Spafford Park and Fauley Park. He was a member of the UMD Blue Line Club and UMD Athletic Scholarship Committee for 17 years. He served on the Board of Directors of the Cloquet Country Club, was a Charter Secretary and Past President of the Kiwanis Noon Club, a member of the Cloquet Country Club, served on Board of Directors for the Cloquet Development and Industrial Corp., served as Carlton County Civil Defense Director, and served on the Carlton County Airport Commission, receiving an award from the MN Council of Airports for his promotion of aviation in the state. He also earned a private pilot license and helped start an Explorer Scout Post at the Cloquet Airport.
Harry was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Bernard, Edward, Zi, Clarence and Maynard; and sisters, Irene St. George and Doris Lyons.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley; daughters Colleen (Mike Cary) Lawrence of Cloquet and Debbie (Curt) Jensen of Esko; sons, Kurt (Sue) Lawrence of Arden Hills, Minn., Steve (Joyce) Lawrence of Woodbury, Minn., Harry (Kathy) Lawrence, Jr. of Eden Prairie, Minn.; 14 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Lorraine Brattlof of Cloquet and Bede Poldoski of Proctor; and many nieces, nephews and their families.
The family would like to express a special thank you to Dad's visiting nurse, Sherry Matthews and the home aides, Monty Lyons and Jackie Micke. Thank you for your kindness and compassion. Thank you to the Respiratory Staff at Cloquet Hospital for their care and kindness, and to the VA Clinics.
VISITATION: 5-8 p.m. Sunday, May 13, 2012 in Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet. Funeral Service will be 2 p.m. Monday, May 14, 2012 in Zion Lutheran Church in Cloquet with a one hour prior visitation. Military Honors accorded by Cloquet Honor Guard. Refreshments will follow in the church social hall. Interment held at Sunset Cemetery in Moose Lake. Arrangements are with Nelson Funeral Care. See the online guest book at www.nelsonfuneralcare.net.
Tags: obituaries
Comments posted on this page do not reflect opinions of Forum Communications Company. Forum Communications Company does not endorse and is not responsible for any statement, opinion, advice given or made. All replies are subject to approval and must follow Forum Communications Company guidelines concerning statements of libel, personal attacks or defamation of character. Replies in the "Talk About It" section that criticize a person by name may not be posted, unless that person is openly involved in a public issue. Comments written in all capital letters or bold print will not be considered for inclusion in the forum.
RSS Feeds