Lawrence Heer

Mass of Christian burial for Lawrence Shorty Heer will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 21, 2010 at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Gillette, Wyoming with Father Bill Hill as celebrant. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. at The Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, South Dakota with full military honors provided by the Sturgis Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 4-7 Sunday, June 20, 2010 at Walker Funeral Home with a vigil service and time of sharing at 7:00 p.m. Lawrence Heer age 76, passed away June 15, 2010 at Lead Deadwood Regional Hospital in Deadwood, South Dakota of natural causes. Lawrence Anthony Shorty Heer was born December 27, 1933, to Otto and Ethel (Holmes) Heer on their farm in Doland, South Dakota. He attended country school and then Doland High School for a short while. He decided to farm with his father. In 1954, he joined the United States Army and served in Alaska for two years. He was a cook and sometimes enjoyed cooking while at home also. He was honorably discharged in 1956 and returned to Doland, SD, to farm with his father. In 1958, he married Maxine Duerkop, to this union five children were born; Ann Marie (John) DesLauriers of Doland, SD; Larry Heer, of Gillette, WY; Darlene Donner, of Lead, SD; Frank (Carmen) Heer of Gillette, WY; and Donna Warner, of Gillette, WY. He has twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Shorty farmed with his father until 1958. In 1959-1960, Shorty and his family lived in Lake Preston, SD, where he owned and operated Dicks Tavern. During the years of 1960-1966, Shorty and his family returned to Doland, SD, where he owned and drove a gravel truck and then worked for Farmers Union. In 1966, he purchased a service station which became Shortys Mobil. He truly enjoyed working with the public and loved to visit with his customers. Shorty was an avid bowler, he was a member of St. Josephs Church in Doland, SD. In 1980 Shorty and his family moved to Gillette, WY, where he worked for Amax Coal Company. Shorty retired in 1995, missing work and his coworkers, he went back to work twice for TIC at the same mine. In 2006 his health forced him to retire for the third time. Shorty enjoyed trips to Deadwood and Las Vegas, camping, fishing, and watching all sports and FOX news on TV. He was a dog lover and had many beloved pets, at the present time, Shorty and his dog, Bitsy, were inseparable. Mostly he enjoyed having his children and grandchildren home, Shorty loved the commotion his family created during holidays. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, his brother Donald (Delaine) Heer of Britton, SD, three sisters, Evelyn (Odell) Aldrich of Joliet, MT, Rosella (Monte) Boetel of Huron, SD, and Marlena (David) Hass of Saint Paul, MN, and a host of nieces and nephews. Shorty was preceded in death by an infant daughter, his son-in-law, Bobby Warner, his parents, four brothers, Francis, Ronald, Vincent, and Richard, and one sister, Gwendolyn. A memorial has been established in his name. Memorials and condolences may be sent to the family in care of the Walker Funeral Home, 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be sent via the internet at www.walkerfuneralgillette.com