Ethel Lawson
Nov. 18, 1932 – Nov. 11, 2018
Ethel Lawson, 85,
Minot, ND, formerly of
Donnybrook, ND, passed
away Sunday, November
11, 2018, in a Minot hos-
pital.
Ethel Mae Helmers was
born November 18, 1932,
the daughter of John and
Alice (Hanson) Helmers,
in rural Tolley, ND. She
was raised and educated
in Donnybrook, ND, gra-
duating from Donnybrook
High School in 1950. Fol-
lowing graduation, Ethel
received her teaching cer-
tificate and taught school
in Grano, ND.
Ethel married Gerald
Lawson on June 3, 1952 in
Tolley. They made their
home in Coulee, ND and
from this union four chil-
dren were born: Tom,
Don, Sandra and Joel.
In 1968 Ethel received
her Bachelor’s Degree in
Education from Minot
Teacher’s College. During
her 33 years of teaching
she taught 3rd grade, was
the school Librarian and
also taught Title 1. After
her retirement, Ethel pro-
vided tutoring services
out of her home and
worked as a substitute
teacher.
Gerald passed away No-
vember 1, 2013.
Ethel and Gerald were
members of Hope Luth-
eran Church in Coulee.
Together they volunteered
for a number of school ac-
tivities around the Don-
nybrook area. Ethel was
also a member of the
Clarence McCormack
American Legion Auxili-
ary, Post #195.
Ethel was very crafty
and enjoyed quilting,
ceramics and sewing. She
also enjoyed canning and
baking; keeping her fami-
ly well fed at many family
get-togethers. Gerald and
Ethel enjoyed watching
Minnesota Twins baseball
games and attending com-
munity sporting events in
Kenmare and Don-
nybrook. Ethel and Gerald
were very active in fol-
lowing their grand-
children’s sporting and
music events. They were
awarded the #1 Honker
Fan plaque at Kenmare
High School.
Ethel was first and
foremost a teacher, and
taught her children to “toe
the mark” and always do
the right thing, even when
no one is watching.
Surviving family in-
cludes: Children, Tom
(Gayle) Lawson, Don-
nybrook, Don (Carmen)
Lawson, Zap, Sandra
(Ron) Michel, Don-
nybrook and Joel (Lori)
Lawson, Minot; 12 grand-
children, Cory Lawson,
Kristen Theobald, Alicia
Meidinger, Jason Lawson,
Matthew Entze and Ni-
cholas Klatt, Ryan Michel,
Tory Michel, Brady
Michel, Tia Knutson, Lora
St. Croix, JorDan Lawson;
20 great-grandchildren;
brother, Darwin (Jeanne)
Helmers, Minot; sister,
Darlene King, Akron, OH;
and numerous nieces,
nephews and cousins.
Ethel was preceded in
death by her parents; hus-
band of 61 years, Gerald
Lawson; and her brothers,
Allen, Eddie and Lyle Hel-
mers.
Funeral: Thursday, No-
vember 15, 2018, at 10:30
a.m. at Zion Lutheran-
Church, Minot, ND.
Interment: Rosehill
Memorial Park, Minot,
ND.
Visitation: Wednesday
from 4 to 7 p.m. at
Thompson-Larson Fun-
eral Home, Minot, ND.
Those wishing to sign
the online register and
share memories may ac-
cess the online obituaries
section at (www.
thompsonlarson.com).