Lawrence D. Richard

Friday, December 30, 2011

Lawrence D. Richard

Lawrence D. Richard was born northeast of Parks, Nebraska in Dundy County on April 12, 1929, to Nellie & Jasper Richard. He grew up farming on his grandfather's home place with his three brothers and three sisters.

He attended country school and was drafted into the Army in Sept. 15, 1948, and was a military policeman in Japan during the Korean War. After his service, he came home and met his bride of 57 years, Adele Barenberg. They were married, July 12, 1954, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benkelman, Nebraska and farmed south of Benkelman. They were blessed with three children, Dixie, Kent and Dana Jo.

Lawrence worked for Southwest Public Power Company for 27 years and covered hundreds of miles throughout the county. During his lifetime, Lawrence built a camper and took his family out camping, fishing and on many family trips. He loved the Rock Creek Marauders and the good fishing out at Rock Creek, Trenton and Enders. After he retired, he enjoyed woodworking, fishing, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Lawrence loved to find 'hidden treasures' and fix them up.

Lawrence was an active member of the American Legion Post in Benkelman and the Veterans of Foreign Wars and participated in the Honor Guard at Memorial Day Services, parades, and funerals in Benkelman.

Lawrence is preceded in death by his baby brothers, Donald and Beryl; brother, Vearle Richard; sisters, Iva Jean Vernon and Louise Billington; daughter, Dana Jo Webster and her son, Shane.

Lawrence is survived by his wife, Adele; his daughter, Dixie Cobb of Lincoln, Nebraska, and her husband Wes; his son, Kent Richard of Lincoln, Nebraska and his wife, Patty and their children, Jessica, Deidre, Justin and Derek; grandson, Seth Cobb of Lincoln, Nebraska, and his wife, Marcelina and their two children, Josiah Lawrence and Aubrey Ann Adele; granddaughter, Sheila Long of Longmont, Colorado, and her husband, Kade and their daughter, Micajah; son-in-law, Larry Webster of Lakeside, Nebraska; brother, Mearle Richard of Benkelman; twin brother, Leonard Richard of St. Francis, Kansas, and his wife, Joann; sister, Phyllis Whitmore of St. Francis, Kansas, and her husband, Don; brother-in-law, Bill Billington of Imperial, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Josie Preston, of Benkelman, Nebraska and her husband, Jerry; and sister-in-law, Sharon Barenberg of Benkelman, Nebraska.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at a later date. Memorials may be given to the Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Benkelman. Butherus Maser & Love Funeral Home Lincoln, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements.