Richard ‘Dick’ Lawler

Richard “Dick” Lawler, 98, passed away Oct. 28, 2025, at Cedar Ridge Village in West Des Moines.

Dick was born Dec. 26, 1926, on the family farm near New Providence.  He grew up on the family farm, attended New Providence High School where he graduated in 1944.

He married Mary Lou Dixon June 29, 1949 in Eldora.  Dick and Mary Lou raised five children on the family farm, Bryan, Linda, Clark, Julia and Christine.  Dick and Mary Lou retired from farming in 1992 and moved to Eldora. They celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in 2024. 

Dick served on several boards, including Lawn Hill Coop, Hardin County Insurance and was Trustee for New Providence. He volunteered in several capacities at St. Mary Church as a council member and finance committee member at the time when the new church was built at St. Mary’s.  This participation in the completion of the new church was something that Dick was very proud of where he was a member for his entire life.

Dick spent many hours at Pine Lake Country Club whether he was playing a sport he loved or volunteering at the course for anything that needed to be done, including being a board member. Dick played golf until he was 96. Besides playing golf, Dick and Mary Lou attended Iowa Hawkeye football games, traveled to Arizona in the winter for several years, where they spent time with Eldora friends as well as making many new friends. Dick was always the life of the party with conversation with friends and strangers and his love of dance.  Although Dick loved all his hobbies and activities his most precious time was spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Dick is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; children Bryan (Jan) Lawler, Linda (Craig) Doering, Clark (Beth) Lawler, Julia (Scott) Lawler and Christine; grandchildren Heather (Ken) Lawler, Megan Doering, Amanda (Andrew) Doering, Michael (Dani) Lawler, Ashley (Jeff) Lawler Emily (Ryan) Lawler-Smith, Ross (Natalie) Johnson and Graham (Sarah) Johnson.  Great-grandchildren, Jace, Weston, Mason, Alivia, Fiona, Cameron and Oliver, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Teresa, infant son, Michael, siblings, Lewis, Lucille, Raymond, Frances, Verle, Mildred (Mid), Arlene, and Marilyn.