Lawrence E. Schwindt, age 90, passed away on Sunday, April 8, 2018 in Great Bend, Kansas.

He was born February 7, 1928, in LaCrosse, Kansas, to Benjamin and Ella (Foos) Schwindt.

Lawrence graduated from the 8th grade in a country school in Trego County near the family farm, and then worked full time on his family farm. He loved to drive the tractors and trucks and he would tell you that John Deere is the Best. He was a very hard worker and when there was farming to be done, he was always up and in the field at the crack of dawn before anyone else was even up. He loved visiting and telling stories about working on the farm and the “old days” to anyone that would listen.

Lawrence loved to play baseball when he was younger and was very good at it. As he got older he enjoyed other games and was known as the “King of Dominos”. He was also the official “fly swatter”. He said that he worked hard enough when he was younger and swatting flies was relaxing and something he enjoyed doing. And besides…someone had to do it.

You would always see him wearing overalls, with the pockets full of ink pens and he wore a baseball cap most of the time. He collected thousands of pens in his life time and always had a few in his hand. And, if you ever left one laying around, it became part of His collection too. Lol. He also had a big collection of baseball caps. He loved ice cream, especially chocolate shakes, and bubble gum (by the million), he once said. He was easy to get along with and he had a good sense of humor and liked to make you laugh.

He was known by many in his later years as “Papa Bear” and “Grandpa”. He was loved by so many.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mildred Brau and husband Albert; and brother, Benjamin Jr. He is survived by his brothers Delano Schwindt and wife Amelia of Utica, and Lyle Schwindt and wife Deana of Cheyenne Wells, Colorado.

Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 14, 2018, at Praise Fellowship Church, Ransom, Kansas. Inurnment will take place at a later date in WaKeeney City Cemetery.

Memorial contributions: the church, and may sent directly to 106 Old KS 4, Ransom, KS 67572.