Lawrence Johnson, age 89, of Mitchell, SD died Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at Firesteel Healthcare Center. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Friday, March 18, 2016 at Will Funeral Chapel with burial at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Friday at the Will Funeral Chapel.

Lawrence Johnson, son of Harry and Bertie (Olafson) Johnson, was born November 19, 1926 on the family farm near Lake Crystal, MN. The family moved to Mitchell, SD in 1942. As a teenager, Lawrence worked at a neighbor grocery store named Sunshine Market. He also road a delivery route with Cap Fergen, assisting in the delivering of Coca Cola products to the community.

Lawrence was one of the first clients of Sheltered Workshop when it opened. The name was changed to the Adjustment Training Center and is now Life Quest. Lawrence never wanted to miss a day of "school" as he called it.

Later in life he moved into the group living apartment operated by Life Quest. He truly loved living there. He later moved into Firesteel Healthcare Center. Lawrence enjoyed the western music bands that would entertain the residents. Sometimes the band would even let Lawrence play his guitar with the band for a song or two.

Lawrence enjoyed western movies, western music, western clothes, horses, and playing his guitar.  He loved the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo attending as many as possible.

Grateful for having share his life are his sister, Donna (Gene) Farris, Mitchell, SD; a brother, Delmar (Mary Beth) Johnson, Sioux City, IA; a brother-in-law, Gailen Coates, Mitchell, SD; several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Margaret Mahaney, Harriet Burnham and Gelene Coates; and a brother, Willis Johnson.