Robert C. "Bob" Lawson (2014)

LAWSON, VAN DYKE, BODE, EICHNER BROWN, EICHNER, ANDERSEN, WILLIAMS, HILL, MAPES

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart
Date: 7/3/2014 at 13:29:17

Johnson Family Funeral Home
Dexter, Iowa

ROBERT C. LAWSON

Born on Apr. 30, 1922
Departed on Jun. 29, 2014 and resided in Dexter, IA.

Visitation: Wednesday, Jul. 2, 2014
Service: Thursday, Jul. 3, 2014

Robert C. Lawson, 92, of Dexter passed away Sunday, June 29, 2014 at the Stuart Community Care Center. Visitation will be from 5-7 P.M. on Wednesday, July 2nd at the Johnson Family Funeral Home in Dexter. Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, July 3rd at the Dexter United Methodist Church. Burial will be at the Dexter Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to Dexter United Methodist Church, Dexter Roundhouse or Earlham Fire and Rescue, in care of Johnson Family Funeral Home, PO Box 57, Dexter, Iowa 50070. Online condolences may be left at johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Robert "Bob" Lawson was born April 30, 1922 in Humboldt, South Dakota to May and Clyde Lawson. He was the second of seven siblings. For several years, the family lived in the Black Hills where he and his sister, Sylvia, roamed the hills and woods. When Bob was nine years old, the family moved to a Lawson family farm south of Dexter. The Lawson kids attended country school through the 8th grade. In 1936, Bob started high school in Dexter where he sang solos and played trombone in the high school band. He graduated from Dexter high school in 1941.

Bob and Vivian Van Dyke were high school sweethearts and married on February 27, 1944 in the Dexter Methodist Church. Their first home was south of Stuart where Bob farmed. In 1945, their first child, Marilyn, was born at home. In 1946, Bob and Vivian moved to their farm south of Dexter where they have lived ever since. In 1947, their son, Bruce was born. Bob and Vivian provided a loving, nurturing home for their children. They were members of the Dexter United Methodist Church where Bob has always been active in the music ministry. As a young man, he sang in the choir and was a soloist for weddings, funerals, and special occasions. He played the piano for Sunday School and since 1978 has been the organist at the Dexter United Methodist Church. He was a successful farmer who raised dairy cattle, hogs, and chickens in the early years. Before retirement in 1987, he primarily raised corn and soy beans. He was a carpenter in the winters and remodeled many of the farm houses in the Dexter and Stuart area. After retiring from farming, Bob took up woodworking and built many pieces of furniture for his family members.

Bob and Vivian have belonged to many card clubs during their seventy-year marriage; Bob was an avid bridge player and loved to play golf. He was a member of the Lions Club and the Dexter Roundhouse committee in Dexter as well as holding leadership positions in his church. In 2006, Bob and Vivian were honored as the Dexter Citizens of the Year. He particularly enjoyed music and participated in local music activities. In the 1940s he played piano with the Hy Bunce band at local dances. His family remembers how he played piano "by ear" and whistled as he worked. He was devoted to Vivian and his children and was an attentive and loving grandfather and later, great-grandfather.

He is survived by Vivian; his children Marilyn Bode and Bruce Lawson and their spouses Wes Bode and Dianna Lawson; his grandchildren: Jill (Luke) Eichner Brown, Ben (Joanne) Eichner, Mike (Lori) Lawson, Greg (Katie) Lawson, Holle (Loren) Andersen, Skyler (Shirley) Bode and great-grandchildren: Ehlana and Garion Brown; Matthew, Cameron, and Brooks Lawson; Zane Eichner; Avery and Luca Andersen; Martin and Agatha Bode and his sisters Sylvia Williams and Ruth Hill; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Fred, Gene, and Roy Lawson; sister Esther Mapes; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.

Transcriber's Note: Robert Lawson for many years lived on the Lawson family farm in Sec. 19, of Penn Township, Madison County.

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen