Lawrence Ruml, 79, of rural Letcher, SD died Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at his daughter's home under hospice care. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Monday, January 5, 2015 at the Mitchell Congregational UCC Church, Mitchell, SD with burial at Butler Cemetery, with military rites, rural Letcher, SD. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sunday, January 4, 2015 at the Will Funeral Chapel, Mitchell, SD. Lawrence Ruml was born December 19, 1935 to George and Anna (Justra) Ruml, on the family 9farm near Letcher, SD. He attended the Stekl School till eighth grade and later graduated from Letcher High School in 1953. On November 10th, 1955, he entered the Army and was honorably discharged on August 9th, 1957. He served his years at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Upon his return from the Army, Lawrence started farming and focusing on corn, cows, pigs, and sheep. He sold DeKalb seeds for many years. He enjoyed helping his children show livestock in 4-H as each took an interest in a different animal. On October 2nd 1965, Lawrence married Karen Gortmaker of St. Lawrence, SD. Together they had passion for 4-H. Lawrence grew up a member of the Butler Booster 4-H club and was a leader of the club for over 50 years. He has received many awards for his contributions to 4-H. At the 2005 SD State Fair, Lawrence was inducted into the South Dakota 4-H Hall of Fame. He received plaques at both the county and state levels for this honor. Lawrence served on multiple community service boards. He served on the Butler Township board, the United Church of Christ of Letcher board, Butler Cemetery board, the ASCS board, and the Santel Telephone board for nearly 30 years. All told he served for over a combined total of 150 years on the various boards. He is survived by three children, Kathy and husband, Fred Zoss, David and wife Christie, all of Letcher, SD, Susie and husband Josh De La Rosa of Dupree, SD; five grandsons, Andrew Zoss (Kaleigh Zimmerman), Artesian, SD, Dalen Zoss, Cody and Eric Ruml all of Letcher, SD, Rio De La Rosa, Dupree, SD; two granddaughters Zoey and Gabriella De La Rosa, Dupree, SD; two sisters, Lois Clarambeau, Letcher, SD, and Verla Hoing, Kimball, SD; one brother-in-law, Harlen (Jean) Gortmaker, St. Lawrence, SD; seven sisters-in-law, Violet (Dick) Deuter, Rapid City, SD, LuLu Belle (Jack) Shuler, Cody, WY, Pearl (Paul) Schlecter, Polo, SD, Shirley (Ed) Sell, Miller, SD, Anita (John) Beaner, Miller,SD, Rosemary (Lyle) Goodall, St. Lawrence, SD, Mardella Gortmaker, Henry, SD and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife Karen in 2005; an infant son, Chad Eric; his parents; two brothers, Robert and Burton; his mother and father in-law; six brothers-in-law; two sisters-in-law and three nephews.