Richard "Dick" Lawrence

Richard C. "Dick" Lawrence, age 92 of Hastings, died peacefully at home on Saturday morning, January 25, 2020. Richard Carl, the son of Frederick and Helen (Peterson) Lawrence, was born on July 4, 1927, in Richland Center, Wisconsin. Following his graduation from Richland High School with the class of 1945, Dick enlisted in the United States Navy in 1945 and was later granted an Honorable Discharged in 1948. On August 23, 1949, Dick was united in marriage to Katherine Haas in Plain, Wisconsin. They moved to Hastings in 1957 where Dick was a longtime Pipe Fitter at North Star Chemical and later at Koch Refinery until his retirement on December 31, 1991. Dick was an avid hunter and fisherman, woodworker, and handyman. He was a longtime member of the American Legion and VFW in Hastings as well as American Legion in Spring Green, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Frederick "Fritz" and JoAnn; spouse, Katherine on January 25, 2006; son, Richard "Rick" on October 16, 2004; recently by his granddaughter Jennifer Blazek on July 7, 2019; and by his great grandson, Colin Zurnedien on December 14, 2014. Dick is survived by his children, Veronica Davis; Rita (Kevin) Hamernick, Robert Lawrence; and Diane Lawrence; daughter-in-law, Roberta Lawrence; grandchildren, Chelsey, Jordan (Christy), Katie (Chris), Michael (Nicole), Patrick (Lynn), and Samantha; great grandchildren, Jeffrey, Isabel, Maks, Shaylee, Raya, Isaac, Brooklyn, Jayce, Grady, and Dulcie; brother, William "Buck" (Fern) Lawrence; and by many cousins, nieces, nephews, close neighbors, Wally and Josie, Bob and Dorothy, and Jim and Tillie, other relatives and friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 31, 2020, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings. Interment with Military Honors provided by the Hastings VFW Lyle Russell Post 1210 will follow at the parish cemetery. Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., and to a reception immediately following the interment, all at church on Friday. In lieu of flowers, Dick's family requests memorials be made in his memory for the family to designate to local charities and military organizations. Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.