Lawrence Drabus

Sept. 21, 1919-April 2, 2009

Lawrence F. Drabus, 89, Kenmare, died Thursday, April 2, 2009, in a Kenmare hospital.

Lawrence was born on Sept. 21, 1919, a son of Frank and Marie (Hoffman) Drabus in Enderlin. He was raised and educated in Kenmare through the ninth grade. He was later awarded a high school diploma from the North Dakota State Legislature on March 31, 2002. Following school he worked for the Soo Line Railroad.

He entered the Army in 1941 and served during World War II in the 164th Infantry. He was honorably discharged in 1945, receiving the Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal and the WWII Victory Medal.

Lawrence married Twila Anderson on Aug. 5, 1950, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, rural Coulee. They made their home in Kenmare, where in 1950 he became an engineer for the Soo Line Railroad, retiring in 1985. He also farmed west of Kenmare. Twila died July 11, 2008.

Lawrence played the part of Santa Claus for 23 years in Kenmare. He loved to hunt and fish. After retirement, he started to cut trees down for firewood to heat their home. Lawrence stated "the hotter it is outside, the better to work in." He was a jokester and loved life. He was a great husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be deeply missed.

Lawrence was a member of the Church of the Nazarene, Kenmare.

Those who shared his life: Daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and Arlen Gartner, Kenmare; grandchildren, Chad Gartner (Natosha Benson), Kristen (Fred) Boger and Melissa (Clint) Voltz; great-grandchildren, Makayla Gartner, Carsen Gartner and Lille Boger; one stepgreat-grandson Michael Boger; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 57 years, Twila; a daughter, Julie Drabus; twin brother, Leonard; and sisters, Lorraine Drabus and Eileen Riske.

Visitation: Today, April 5, 2009, from 3 until 6 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Kenmare.

Funeral Service: Monday, April 6, at 1 p.m. at the Church of the Nazarene, Kenmare.

Burial: Lakeview Cemetery, Kenmare.

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).