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Lawrence B. Gripka

Lawrence was born on September 5th, 1916 in Monett, Lawrence County, Missouri.¹ Lawrence's father was August A Gripka and his mother was Martha Bruenn. His paternal grandparents were Jacob Gripka and Mary Daus; his maternal grandparents were August Bruenn and Regina. He had four brothers and seven sisters, named John, Joseph, Jerome, Sisbert, Agnes, Frances, Rose, Fridoline, Dorothy, Clara and Ruth. He was the youngest of the twelve children. He died at the age of 94 on November 22nd, 2010 in Cassville, MO. The funeral took place on November 27th, 2010 at St. Mary's Church, Pierce City, MO. He was buried on November 27th, 2010 in Saint Mary's Cemetery, Pierce City, Lawrence County, Missouri.¹¹

Death Notes
- awrence Gripka, husband of Mary Louise (Wimsatt) and son of August and Martha Gripka, ended his journey here on earth at 6:40 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 22 at St. John's Hospital in Cassville. Lawrence started his great journey of life on Sept. 5, 1916 in Monett. Lawrence lived most of his life in the Pierce City area.
  
  He and Louise raised nine children: Dorothy (Blinzler) of Monett; Gene (Lawrence E.), of Pierce City; Helen (Eddingfield), of Wentworth; Bettye (Yale), of Fayetteville, Ark.; Ed, of Newalla, Okla.; Rita (Cartmell), of Wentworth; Tom, Tim and John all of Pierce City. They also shared in the loving and raising of 21 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
  
  Lawrence was a veteran of World War II serving in Patton's Army as a medic on the front lines in Germany. After the war, he was sent to Mauthausen, Austria to care for the concentration camp survivors.
  
  Lawrence loved playing baseball which he taught to his children, grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Through the YMCA of Monett, he played and coached the Puppy Dogs for over 40 years.
  
  After taking care of his wife through a long illness prior to her death, he gave his time to St. Mary's school as recess monitor. He loved every minute of the 13 years he was blessed to be able to do this. In May of this year, due to ailing health, at the age of 93, Lawrence had to give this up.
  
  Visitation will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 26 at St. Mary's Church in Pierce City with Rosary to follow at 7:30. Funeral mass will be held at the church at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 27. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Pierce City. Arrangements are under the direction of Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City.
  
  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mary's School in Lawrence's name.

Whereabouts
- Lawrence lived in Lawrence County, Missori.²
  - Occupancy/Contact Notes
    - In 1920.

Ancestor Pedigree Chart
- Jacob Gripka
  - b. in Germany
  
  August A Gripka
  - b.18 Mar 1865 in Germany d.19 Oct 1941
  
  Mary Daus
  - b. in Germany
  
  Lawrence B. Gripka
  - b.05 Sep 1916 in Monett, Lawrence County, Missouri d.22 Nov 2010 in Cassville, MO
  
  August Bruenn
  
  Martha Bruenn
  - b.1880 in Missouri d.07 Aug 1954
  
  Regina

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Lawrence's family

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Lawrence and Mary were married in a religious ceremony on November 7th, 1938. They had five sons and four daughters, named Gene, Ed, Tom, Tim, John, Dorothy, Helen, Bettye and Rita.

Children
- Dorothy Gripka
  
  Gene Gripka
  
  Helen Gripka
  
  Bettye Gripka
  
  Ed Gripka
  
  Rita Gripka
  
  Tom Gripka
  
  Tim Gripka
  
  John Gripka

¹ The Monett Times
² "United States Census, 1920," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M8CM-W1F : accessed 29 Sep 2012), Lawrence Gripka in household of August Gripka, , Lawrence, Missouri; citing enumeration district (ED) , sheet 4B, family 80, NARA microfilm publication T625, FHL microfilm 1820932.

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Lawrence B. Gripka

Whereabouts

Ancestor Pedigree Chart

Personal Timeline

Lawrence's family

Children