Lawrence Leroy Tempel,  78 died Saturday, May 6, 2017 in Surprise, Ariz., at Hospice of the Valley  Surprise Cottage. 

He was born on May 31, 1938, in Marvin to John and Minerva (Fish) Tempel.

 Lawrence attended Lee No. 3 School through eightth grade and graduated from Wilmot High School in 1956. Lawrence attended Northern State College in Aberdeen for three years. He entered the US Army in January 1959 and was discharged in March, 1962, spending two years of that in Germany. 

On June 6, 1964, he married Linda Bakewell. Lawrence worked for the Brookings Park & Recreation Department for 37 years taking pride in the parks he cared for. He served in the South Dakota National Guard for 19 years and was honored to serve his country. After retirement, Lawrence and Linda moved to Arizona in 2004. 

Lawrence is survived by wife Linda; daughters Mikelyn; Kimberly (David) Molengraaf; Anna (Kevin) Burns; Kristin (Jason) Osbahr; four granddaughters Shelby (Ethan) Anguiano, Taylor Molengraaf, Maya Burns and Brynn Osbahr; five grandsons Matthew Molengraaf, Joseph and Wesley Burns and Blake and Brock Osbahr, sister Sharon Riedberger; brother Russell (Mary), sister-in-law Millie Tempel and many nieces and nephews. 

Preceding Lawrence in death are parents, John and Minerva Tempel; brothers Gerald and Ronald. 

Lawrence enjoyed many years of hunting, fishing, gardening and traveling along with time with family and friends telling stories from the past.

A memorial service will be held in Brookings,  June 17, at 2 p.m. at Dakota Nature Center, 1705 32nd St S., Brookings SD 57006.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley or Alzheimer’s Association.