Lawrence J. Dickes

Lawrence J. Dickes, age 88 of Hartington, Nebraska died on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at Accura Healthcare in Hartington.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington with Pastor Raymond Solberg officiating. The family will receive friends and relatives one hour prior to services. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington.

Lawrence Joseph was born on October 5, 1937 in Hartington to Frank and Mabel (Bell) Dickes. Lawrence lived his entire life in the home he was born until he moved into Accura Healthcare in February of 2026. He was baptized on October 24, 1937 by Father Lordemann at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. He attended Hartington Public School and graduated in 1956.

He started working on a farm at a very young age. The farm was north of Hartington and part of it now is the concrete plant. When he was a little older, he rented part of the farm, got some old machinery, and raised corn and opts. He later purchased more of the land. He raised feeder cattle and hogs, chickens, ducks, geese and other birds. Lawrence did welding and blacksmith work for his neighbors. He ran a taxidermy business doing birds and other large animals. He did some butchering for people that included wild game, beef, pork, and a few bison.

Lawrence had a gun business and built custom rifles with the late John Eskens. He married Helen Kruger on October 24, 1992. They put a new addition onto their home. Lawrence worked eight years at Dale Electronics making parts for pacemakers and funning molding presses. Later he and Helen ran a cleaning business until 2020. Lawrence loved to cook and bake. He always had a large garden and a lot of canning was done. Lawrence and Helen enjoyed camping, fishing, and hunting. Helen got their last deer with a crossbow. He loved playing cards, watching TV, and reading.

Lawrence is survived by his step-daughter Rita (Bill) Lester of Mitchell, SD, step-grandchildren Matt Schmidt, Ashley Berry, and Isiah Kruger.

He was preceded in death by his parents Frank & Mabel Dickes; wife Helen on 3-7-2026 at the age pf 84 years; step-sons Delbert Kruger Jr., and Kevin Kruger.