Lawrence Espe

Lawrence Espe, 84, of Clarion, passed away Thursday, September 2, 2004, at USA Healthcare Center in Clarion.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Monday, September 6, 2004  at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Clarion, Iowa with  Rev. Charles Espe & Rev. Curt Miner officiating. 

Visitation for Lawrence Espe will be from 5:00 to 7:00 on Sunday, September 5, 2004 at the Ewing Dugger Funeral Home, 602 North Main Street, Clarion, Iowa.

Lawrence was born in rural Kanawha on December 28, 1919 to Austin and Marian (Johnson) Espe. He graduated from Kanawha High School in 1937. Lawrence married Lois Lein on January 10, 1940. They had three sons, Roger, Steve, and Mitch. He began farming in rural Kanawha in 1940 and retired in 1980. His wife, Lois, died December 3, 1972.

In 1977, Lawrence married Alice (Mayes) Rodriguez and moved to Clarion. Lawrence was baptized, confirmed, and a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church until its closing in 1993. He served on the Kanawha School Board, the Kanawha Bank Board, and was treasurer of St. John’s Church for many years. After he retired, he enjoyed driving to the farm every day. He especially enjoyed the spring planting and the fall harvest. Golf, his vegetable garden, and splitting his own wood were his interests, but family always came first.

Lawrence is survived by his wife, Alice of Clarion; sons Roger Espe and wife Nancy of Des Moines, Steve Espe and wife Gail of Des Moines, Mitch Espe and wife Chris of Newbury Park, CA, Jim Rodriguez and wife Jill of Des Moines, John Rodriguez and wife Lorene of Cedar Rapids; daughter Judie Rodriguez and husband Rob of Tucson, AZ; 18 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Survivors also include a sister-in-law of Portland, OR; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Lois; sister Gladys and husband Glenn Russell; brother Roy, and brother Harlan and wife Azile.