Lawrence Hertel | 1932 - 2023
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Jun 5, 2023 | 10:50 AM / 464 views
Lawrence Hertel, age 90, of Sturgis and formerly of McLaughlin, South Dakota passed away June 2, 2023 at the Ft Meade VA Hospital.
A public visitation will be held at the Kirk Funeral Home Chapel in Rapid City on Wednesday, June 7 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. The funeral service will be held at the Kirk Funeral Chapel on Thursday, June 8 at 10:00 am.
The sixth of nine children, Lawrence Benjamin Hertel was born in Mobridge, SD to Frederick M and Anna (Zimmerman) Hertel on June 21, 1932. When only 3 years old, his mother and baby brother died as a result of a difficult childbirth. His father remarried the widowed Hildegard (Billigmeier) Dobler and the family quickly grew to 19 children with five step-siblings and five additional half-brothers.
Their family was so large that the school district was required, by law, to offer them a one-room country school which Frederick declined. Lawrence spoke fluent German and attended school in McLaughlin but often was required to stay home and help on the farm.
Lawrence was drafted into the army in 1952 and fought at the front lines on the 38th Parallel in the Korean War. He was an ammo bearer – carrying and feeding ammunition into high-caliber machine guns. Lawrence was released from active duty on March 6, 1953.
After the war, he returned to McLaughlin and started farming with his dad. Soon after, cousins introduced him to Mary Merkel. Following a courtship, Lawrence and Mary became engaged and were married at Redeemer Lutheran Church in McLaughlin on June 16, 1956. Their wedding dance was held in a barn near Kenel, SD.
To this marriage was born six children – three boys and three girls. Lawrence and Mary raised their kids on the family farm and ranch. Lawrence took great pride in his work and was a good operator. He had a sound Simmental cattle herd, was an early adopter of modern ag practices, and was a diligent farmer – always sure to keep straight rows, make perfect tops on haystacks, and check behind the combine to ensure no grain loss.
A jack of all trades, there was little Lawrence couldn’t do. Prompted by relatives, he completed a butchering course and quickly became an expert. He built a full butcher shop on the farm, complete with saws, grinders, a walk-in cooler, and a smoker. Butchering was a family affair – relatives would regularly gather to process beef, hogs, and chickens. Lawrence was renowned for his homemade smoked sausage and used hog spleens to predict weather.
In his later years, Lawrence worked at the McLaughlin Municipal Liquor Store before he and Mary moved to Piedmont in 2002. Lawrence worked for the Sturgis Parks Department for 10 years before he reluctantly retired due to health. In 2021 they moved to Sturgis.
Lawrence was an exemplary neighbor and outstanding father. A family man through-and-through, Lawrence and Mary made visiting family a priority – frequently sharing meals, playing pinochle, visiting over a cup of coffee, dancing, or playing baseball (kids vs. the dads). Each Fall, they would host a hog roast for friends, family, and neighbors. Lawrence was an American Legion member for 66 years.
Above all else, he was the very best grandpa. Lawrence loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and showed it with a big smile whenever he saw them. He was patient with his actions, kind with his words, and generous with his time. Whether it was farm work, having coffee in town, family vacations, or simply enjoying a sugar-coated bowl of Wheaties for breakfast – Lawrence probably had a grandkid or two with him. Although rarely verbalized, he shared a great love with his children and grandchildren. They will miss him so dearly.
Grateful to have shared his life, Lawrence is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary; his six children Laura (Rich) Maier, Lyle (Rose) Hertel, Marty (Delrita Troska) Hertel, Marlo (Virgil Armajo) Hertel, Myron (Shelly Ferdig-Johnson) Hertel, and Melissa (Pat) Schneider; 11 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 10 step-great grandchildren; one brother Tim Hertel; and sister in laws Eleanor Hertel, Bernice Hertel, and Donna Hertel.
Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Leonard, Alfred, Raymond, Willie, Martin, Lester, Harvey Sr., Rodney, Delray Hertel and Stanley; sisters Hertha (Charles) Scott and Delanis (Casimir) Jochim; stepbrothers Lloyd, Lemore, and Leroy Dobler; stepsisters Jeanette Dobler-Jundt and Shirley Dobler-Jerry; and one great grandson, Cole Bertolotto.