In Loving Memory
Lawrence R. Coleman
February 23, 1927 - December 13, 2020

VISITATION
Saturday, May 29, 2021
10:00 - 11:00 A.M.
Zion Lutheran Church
Ruthven, Iowa

SERVICE
Saturday, May 29, 2021
11:00 A.M.
Zion Lutheran Church
Ruthven, Iowa

CLERGY
Rev. Eric Patten

INURNMENT
Crown Hill Cemetery
Ruthven, Iowa

Lawrence Ray Coleman, second child of Frank D. and Maude E. (Smith) Coleman, was born February 23, 1927 on a farm in Murdo, South Dakota.  At the age of two the family moved to a farm southeast of Ruthven.  He attended a one-room country school house north of the farm.  Lawrence continued his education through the tenth grade and worked on his parents' farm until inducted into the United States Army on May 15, 1945 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota.  He was Private First Class and was assigned to Company B, 701st Military Police Battalion serving his country in China.  After being honorably discharged from the service on January 21, 1947 Lawrence returned to Ruthven.  For two years Lawrence enjoyed working for Bill and Helen Imes on their farm.  Lawrence then rented and farmed the Ball place.

Lawrence married Bernadine Janssen on January 23, 1951 in Jackson, Minnesota.  To this union four children were born.  Lawrence and Bernadine were married sixty-two years in 2013.  Their first home was located in rural Ayrshire for two years.  Then they moved to the Ball farm and later, to the Hibben farm both near Ruthven.  In 1969 they moved into town.  Through the years Lawrence enjoyed farming and running his Custom Combine and Trucking Business which began June 4, 1964.  Lawrence looked forward to the daily business of trucking grain to local elevators and enjoyed the many friendships he established through his work.  He was active in the business until 2005 retiring at the age of seventy.  He loved to follow his grandchildren's interests and endeavors.  Lawrence enjoyed horses, gardening, ice cream and making "Christmas Pancakes" for the family Christmas morning.  Lawrence enjoyed helping the Legion until his health declined.  He loved to follow the Minnesota Twins and would catch the ball games every chance he got.  He also enjoyed listening to music, especially Johnny Cash and Guy Lombardo.  He went into the Ruthven Assisted Living in July of 2011.  Lawrence was a longtime and dedicated member of the American Legion Post #33 and Zion Lutheran Church in Ruthven.  Church was a very important part of his week.  Lawrence positively touched a great many souls and will be greatly missed.  He was a humble man and loyal friend to many.

Lawrence passed away on Sunday, December 13, 2020 in Ruthven, Iowa at the age of 93, and was met in Heaven by his parents, Frank and Maude Coleman; wife, Bernadine; grandson, Matthew Coleman; sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Harold Johnson; brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Nola Coleman; brothers-in-law, Larry Lee, Darius Malm and  Carl Janssen and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Phillip and Petty Janssen and Robert and Marie Janssen; sister-in-law, Ruth Davis; nephews, Dennis Malm, Mark Coleman, Michael Coleman and David Lee.

He is survived by his children, Larry (Kathy) Coleman of Ruthven, IA; Carleen (Bill) Lambert of Spirit Lake, IA; Paul (Connie) Coleman of Clear Lake, IA; Della Coleman of Emmetsburg, IA; twelve grandchildren, Scott and Nathan Coleman; Andrew (Ellie) Lambert, Michael (Ashley) Lambert; Ceison (Dustin) Heit, Spencer (Erica) Coleman, BreAnn (Ezra) Green, Sheldon Coleman, Shea (Ashley) Coleman; Crystal (Pete) Meninge, Kane (Ann) Soenen and Chase Soenen; great grandchildren, Titan Coleman and Taylor and Logan Bowman; Sarah, Rachael, Lauren and Britney Lambert; Kevin Heit, Logan, Mackenzie, and David Coleman; Lauryn, Mikah and Gabriella Coleman; Nicholas, Taylor, Kenzi, and Lilly Menage; Josephine Soenen; Ambrose, Titus and Gregory Green; Josephine Soenen, Alicen and Jett Soenen; one great-great grandchild, Hendrix Bowman; sisters, Marlys Lee of Ruthven, IA and Florence Malm of Emmetsburg, IA; sister-in-law, Cecelia Janssen of Emmetsburg, IA; brother-in-law, Ron Davis of Heyburn, Idaho; nieces and nephews; as well as many other relatives and friends.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home