Robert William Lawrenz
Robert Lawrenz Obituary
Robert William Lawrenz, age 87, of Eudora, Kansas, passed away on June 13, 2022. A memorial service is planned for 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 25th at Lighthouse Baptist Church, 115 6th Street, Baldwin City, Kansas. A visitation will be held at 10:00 AM. at the church on the same day. Memorial contributions can be made to Boy Scout Troop 65 or the charity of your choice, C/O Wilson’s Funeral Home, PO Box 486. Wellsville, Kansas 66092.
He was born on May 3, 1935, to Frederick William and Louise Blanche (Murdoch) Lawrenz – the first of four children. He graduated from Vinland Rural High School in May of 1955 and then married Betty Lou Rockhold on June 3, 1956. They celebrated 65 years together. They were blessed with four children, Robert (Robbie), Penny, Jan and Nancy, 10 grandchildren and four and ¾ great grandchildren.
After his high school graduation, he joined the Army National Guard, doing his training in California. Upon returning to Kansas, he started driving a concrete truck for Penney’s Ready Mix while doing his weekend and summer National Guard duties. When he left Penney’s, he went to work for Lawrence Freight Line as a mechanic where he stayed for many years. Upon leaving that job, he joined the Army National Guard full time as a mechanic in the 137th Transportation Company.
He and Betty enjoyed weekend camping at Douglas County Lake, participating in square dance clubs and outings where they made many friends. He never lost his playful spirit and enjoyed playing horseshoes with anyone who was willing. He was an avid restorer of old tractors, old trucks and old Harley Davidson motorcycles, never having lost his love of taking things apart and putting them back together again.
In his later years, he joined his wife in becoming active in the Boy Scouts where everyone called him “Sarge.” He also went with the troop on weekend campouts and to week-long camps as a “responsible adult”. He continued to help until Betty’s health prevented them from participating.
He enjoyed farming with his brothers on the property where they were raised where there was always a tractor or combine that had to have repairs when it was most needed in the field.
He is preceded in death by his wife Betty, parents, Fred & Louise Lawrenz, brothers, John Lawrenz and James Lawrenz.
He is survived by his sister, Catherine Lawrenz (& Lindsey Hess) (Good Thunder, Minnesota), son, Robert (Robbie) (& Brenda) Lawrenz (Glen Allen, VA); daughters, Penny (& Kendall) Anderson (Baldwin City, KS), Jan (& Tom) Beuthien (Baldwin City, KS) and Nancy (& Steven) Eckman (Baldwin City, KS); grandchildren, Brian (& Lisa) Lawrenz (Fayetteville, NC), Luke (& Hannah) Lawrenz (Branchburg, NJ), Ryan Young (Manhattan, KS), Joshua (& Hannah) Young (Ottawa, KS), Lisa Young (Baldwin City, KS), Aaron (& Angel) Beuthien, (Platte City, MO), Daniel Beuthien (& Amber Hall) (Paola, KS), Jodie Beuthien (& Eric Ford) (Merriam, KS), Tanya (& Bentley) Tomlin (Cedar Rapids, IA), Bo (& Marley) Eckman (Olathe, KS) and four and ¾ great grandchildren, Walter, Wyatt, Honor, Emma and a new one waiting to be born in July.
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