Lawrence John Kaven

Mass of Christian Burial for Lawrence John Kaven, 91, Aberdeen, will be 10:00 am Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 409 3rd Ave SE. Father David Janes will be the Celebrant. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen.

Liturgical wake service will be 7:00pm Wednesday, at Schriver's Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Ave NW, and visitation will be 5-7pm Wednesday at the mortuary and one hour prior to the Mass on Thursday at the church.

Lawrence passed away Friday, February 12, 2016 at Avera Mother Joseph Manor Retirement Community in Aberdeen.

Lawrence John Kaven was born on October 25, 1924, to Thomas and Elizabeth (Behselich) Kaven on the family farm south of Mina, SD, where he lived for 76 years. He was baptized and had his First Communion in St. Mary's Catholic Church in Aberdeen, SD. He attended the rural Blue Star School #17 in Richland Township, Edmunds County and graduated from Mina High School with the class of 1942. He worked for a short time at the Kaiser Shipyards in Portland, OR before returning home to start farming and raising cattle on the family farm.

Lawrence was united in marriage to Evelyn June Grote on June 12, 1947 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Aberdeen. Together they raised their family working on the farm. He also worked part time for many years at Lager's Inn. They sold their cattle in 1982 and semi-retired making time for traveling which they both enjoyed. In 2001, they sold the farm and moved to Aberdeen. Lawrence and Evelyn shared 66 years of marriage before she passed away on February 12, 2014. On January 20, 2016, Lawrence became a resident of Mother Joseph Manor in Aberdeen, SD and continued to reside there until the time of his death.

Lawrence was Clerk of Richland Township for 48 years and thoroughly enjoyed that position. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, a lifetime member of the Loyal Order of the Moose Aberdeen Lodge No. 590, and a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie No. 632. Lawrence enjoyed good country western music. He played the guitar and violin taking lessons from a neighbor, John Kushman. He loved to sing his entire life and in his earlier years, was a member of the Mina High School Quartet. He enjoyed dancing as well.

His family, farming his land and raising his cattle were Lawrence's life. After retiring in 2001, he and Evelyn enjoyed driving through the countryside watching the farmers work the land.

Lawrence was always there to lend a helping hand to family and friends alike, hard-working, fun-loving, and a tremendous influence to his family. Grateful for sharing his life are his children; Gary (Judy) Kaven of Parker, CO and Shirley (Buff) Heinle of Aberdeen, SD; two granddaughters, Delane Pope and Melissa Scott, both of Aberdeen; four great-grandchildren, Ashley Pope, Heather (Jeff) Michael and Chandler Pope, all of Colorado Springs, CO, and Hayden Scott of Aberdeen; two great-great-granddaughters, Marcella Pope and Alyssa Michael, both of Colorado Springs, CO; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn; his parents; one sister, Leota Hormann; three brothers, Clarence, LaVern and Vince; and one granddaughter, Chelsie Heinle.