Dickes, 88, Hartington, died Sept. 30, 2026, at Accura Healthcare, Hartington.

A Memorial Service will be Oct.

16, at 1 p.m., at the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington, with Pastor Raymond Solberg officiating.

The family will receive friends and relatives one hour prior to services.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington.

Lawrence Joseph was born Oct.

5, 1937, in Hartington, to Frank and Mabel (Bell) Dickes. Lawrence lived his entire life in the home in which he was born, until he moved into Accura Healthcare in February 2026. He was baptized on Oct. 24, 1937, by Father Lordemann at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Hartington. He attended Hartington Public School and graduated in 1956.

He started working on a farm at a very young age. The farm was north of Hartington and part of it now is the concrete plant. When he was a little older, he rented part of the farm, got some old machinery, and raised corn and oats. He later purchased more of the land. He raised feeder cattle and hogs, chickens, ducks, geese and other birds. Lawrence did welding and blacksmith work for his neighbors. He ran a taxidermy business doing birds and other large animals. He did some butchering for people that included wild game, beef, pork and a few bison.

Lawrence had a gun business and built custom rifles with the late John Eskens. He married Helen Kruger Oct. 24, 1992. They put a new addition onto their home. Lawrence worked eight years at Dale Electronics making parts for pacemakers and funning molding presses. Later, he and Helen ran a cleaning business until 2020. Lawrence loved to cook and bake. He always had a large garden and a lot of canning was done.

Lawrence and Helen enjoyed camping, fishing, and hunting. Helen got their last deer with a crossbow. He loved playing cards, watching TV, and reading.

Lawrence is survived by his step daughter, Rita (Bill) Lester, Mitchell, S.D.; and step grandchildren, Matt Schmidt, Ashley Berry and Isaiah Kruger.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mabel Dickes; wife, Helen, March 7, 2026, at the age of 84 years; step sons, Delbert Kruger Jr. and Kevin Kruger.