Lawrence was born on February 12, 1930, in Tama, Iowa, the son of John P. and Mary Margaret (Whalen) Hagerty. He attended rural schools and graduated from Tama High School in 1947.

Lawrence farmed with his dad until he entered the US Army (1951) and was honorably discharged in 1953. He was stationed during the Korean Conflict in Hokaido, Japan. After serving in the military, Lawrence returned to Tama, worked on the farm with his dad and brother John while working for Dupre’s Poultry in Toledo.

On February 16, 1954, Lawrence was united in marriage to Dorothy Svoboda at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in rural Clutier. Lawrence and Dorothy raised six children (3 boys and 3 girls). He loved dancing, music, attending the kids’ school activities. Later on attending grandchildren’s sports and music activities was his joy.

Lawrence farmed his entire life in South Tama. Farming and raising livestock were his pride. He always had a farm dog around to tease and help with the cows and pigs. He was teased much about raising goats (but only raised one). When traveling, he loved to look at the fields. He combined for neighbors and friends when he got his first combine and would join with other farmers to help bring in the crops of neighbors who suffered hard times or illness in the family. Even after retirement, he looked forward to harvest time when his sons would give him rides on the combine, and he even rode this past fall. In the 1990s, Lawrence sold Pioneer Seed Corn for 9 years and also sorted corn with Dorothy in their later years. Lawrence continued to farm the rest of his life.

Lawrence was an active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Tama all his life. He was one of the first group of Eucharistic ministers and an usher for many years. He served on the St. Patrick’s School Building Committee and on the new Church Committee. He also belonged to the Tama American Legion, Catholic Workman Lodge in Clutier, the Tama Foresters and while farming was active in the Farmers Union and Farm Bureau. He worked with the Tama School Band roasts.

After retirement, Lawrence made countless stops at Jiffy gas station “to visit”. He enjoyed playing cards and loved seeing his 15 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife Dorothy of Tama; children, Michael (Becky) Hagerty of Muscatine, Iowa, Marilyn Hagerty of McAllen, Texas, Roberta (Mike) Black of Oak Harbor, Washington, Gery (Julie) Hagerty of Tama, Dennis (Holly) Hagerty of Warren, Illinois and Cheryl (Tom) Larson of Roland, Iowa; grandchildren, John (Kiley) Hagerty, Tom (Sarah) Hagerty, David Hagerty, Matt (Jenny) Black, Theresa (Corey) McCartney, Stephanie (Kevin) Bazzell, Taliah Black, Kelsey (Steve) Bankey, Shelley (Zach) Leiser, Alicia (Kyle) Disney, Lexie (Chad) Kurovski, Denyea (Brad) Auger, Hailey Hagerty, Emily Hagerty and Will Larson; great-grandchildren, Henry, George, Adeline and Ellis Hagerty; Eli McCartney, Easton Bankey, Jaxon, Isaac and Dylan Leiser; Greyson and Delaney Disney; Harley and Lorraine Kurovski; Ayden Williams and Dwyer Auger; and one sister, Loretta Campbell of Marshalltown.

Preceding him in death were his parents; daughter Cynthia Marie who died at birth on December 9, 1954; one brother, John (Joann) Hagerty; two sisters, Jean (Leo) Benda and Sister Gabrielle Hagerty; and a brother-in-law, Delbert Campbell.

Memorial donations may be directed to Cancer and Cystic Fibrosis treatment and research , St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama, or Veterans charities.