Lawrence Findlay

Lawrence Findlay, age 92, of Beardsley, MN, passed away on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at Fairway View Neighborhoods in Ortonville, MN.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Chapel in Graceville, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Tuesday. Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery in Wheaton, MN.

The service will be live streamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Lawrence Lavern Findlay was born on June 28, 1930, in Graceville, MN, to Joseph and Hazel (Mitchell) Findlay. He was baptized at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in rural Johnson, MN. Lawrence lived on a farm two miles west of Johnson until 1943, when the family relocated to the Dumont, MN, area. Finishing his elementary education in a rural school, Lawrence went on to attend the Morris Agricultural School for one year.

In November of 1951, Lawrence was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1953.

Upon his return to the United States, Lawrence farmed with his father until 1956. On June 10, 1956, Lawrence was united in marriage with Eleanor Hansen. Together, they were blessed with four children: Jean, Mark, Glenn, and Dale. Lawrence and Eleanor moved to a farm northeast of Beardsley, MN, where he farmed until 2005. They enjoyed traveling to different states as well as to Germany for Army reunions.

In December of 1998, Eleanor passed away. Lawrence was united in marriage with Hazel (Iverson) Cox on November 7, 1999. Lawrence and Hazel purchased a home in Pharr, TX, in 2003 and had been enjoying spending the winters there since. They bought a home in Beardsley, MN, in 2005 but Lawrence continued to help his son, Mark and grandson, Nick on the farm when they needed him.

In 1955, Lawrence purchased a lake lot on Big Stone Lake near Bonanza Beach. He wanted something he could buy and call his own. There were many happy memories made there where friends and family gathered almost every Sunday. He loved spending time at his lake property fishing, relaxing, and in his younger years, he was an awesome skier. When Lawrence was on the road traveling, he would go out of his way to visit relatives he and Hazel hadn't seen for a long time. One of Lawrence's favorite pastimes was listening to country music and going to Jamborees and dancing with Hazel.

Lawrence had a lot of passion for his farm and working with cattle; he instilled this passion into his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He loved to help and watch so many generations also working the cattle. Knowing the family farm is being passed down to other generations gave him much joy.

Lawrence is survived by his wife, Hazel of Beardsley, MN; daughter, Jean Boyum of Battle Lake, MN; sons: Mark (Carol) Findlay of Beardsley, MN; and Dale Findlay of Eagan, MN; seven grandchildren: Mitchell (Christa) Findlay, Nicholas (Shantelle) Findlay, Lucas (Kayla) Findlay, Katie (Brandon) Johnson, Aaron Boyum (Danae O’Brien), Brett (Erica) Boyum, and Kristin Boyum; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Gloria Seifert of Waco, TX; along with many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Eleanor; son, Glenn Findlay; sister, Marjorie (Jack) Smith; brothers: Darrel Findlay, and Joseph Jr. (Shirley) Findlay;  brother-in-law, Tom Siefert; and son-in-law, Allen Boyum.