Lawrence R. Harper

Lawrence R. Harper 92 of Lewistown died Saturday morning, June 6, 2020 at his home surrounded by his family after a short battle with Leukemia. He was born February 25, 1928 in the family home in Harper Coulee near Roundup, MT the son of Harry and Edna (Haroun) Harper. They lived on a homestead and he attended Harpers Coulee School through 4^th grade, they then moved into Roundup and he attended school there graduating from Roundup High School in 1948. He was drafted into the United States Army serving in October of 1950 serving in Germany during the Korean War. Following his discharge in 1952, he returned to Roundup where he worked various jobs. On May 8, 1955 he was united in marriage to Jean Rathbun in Roundup.  They made their home in Roundup until moving to Lewistown in 1958. He worked at the U.S. Gypsum Plant at Heath and later for Coast to Coast. He worked as a CNA at the Montana Mental Health Nursing Care Center until his retirement. On April 24^th, 1981 he was united in marriage to Minnie (Harmon) McLaughlin in Lewistown, her children Mike Smith, Roger Smith, Terry Smith, Gerald McLaughlin, Robin McLaughlin and Susan Youngbauer.  She preceded him in death in 2013. He continued living in Lewistown until the time of his death.

He and Minnie enjoyed camping, viewing the Elk bugling on the CMR Game Range, traveling and visiting with family especially nieces Connie Lacey, Sharon Boyer and Sharon Hansen and he loved to hunt

He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lewistown.

He is survived by two sons Roger (Teri) and Richard both of Lewistown; two daughters Cheri (Lance) Hins of Tappen, ND and Sally (Stevie) Aives of Boca Raton, FL; one brother Glen Harper of Missoula, MT; one sister Mabel Stralo of Poway, CA; niece Connie Lacey of Redmond, WA;  several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife Minnie he was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Donald, Harold and Teddy.

Graveside Memorial Services for Lawrence R. Harper will be Monday, June 15^th, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in the Lewistown City Cemetery with a Celebration of Life to follow in the Labyrinth Garden in Frank Day Park. The Cloyd Funeral Home is assisting the family

Friends are asked to make memorials to the Fergus County Council on Aging, Musselshell/Golden Valley County 4-H Council or the charity of their choice and they may be left with the Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.