Funeral Service for Dr. Elden Eugene Lawrence, 77, of Peever, SD will be held on Friday, July 11, 2014 at 2:00 PM at the Peever Community Center, Peever, SD with Pastor Don Lykins officiating. Special music will be provided by Elden's Musical Friends. Pallbearers will be Jeffrey Anderson, Garrett Lawrence, Sam Lawrence, Caleb Ironheart, Gerald Amos, and Philip Lawrence. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Charles Woodard, Doug Nelson, Harvey DuMarce, Don Shindlar, Mike Owen, Ken Cameron, Franklin Keeble, Leon Eneboe, Dave Finstad and Don Backman. Interment will be in the Paha Wakan Cemetery "Sacred Hill Cemetery", Peever, SD with Military Rites by the American Legion Post #314. Wake Service will be held on Thursday, July 10, 2014 at 7:00 PM at the Peever Community Center, Peever, SD.
Elden Eugene Lawrence was born on August 31, 1936 to Melvin and Marie (Ironheart) Lawrence on the Sisseton Wahpeton Indian Reservation in Northeastern South Dakota. He was one of ten children of whom nine were boys. In his early years Elden learned to hunt wild game and fish in the small creeks for food. Elden first attended a small township school near Peever, SD, and then Watertown Public, then spent one year at Flandreau Indian School before enlisting in the United States Army on September 1, 1953, when he was 17. He served until August 31, 1956 and reenlisted and served from July 14, 1958 until July 14, 1961. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Army Occupation Medal (Germany) and Expert (Rifle). While in the service he received his GED. After his military service, he moved about the country doing many types of jobs and eventually ended up in Minneapolis where he met his wife, Kim Johnson, and they were married on October 17, 1969. At the age of 44, Elden decided to go back to school in order to provide a better, more secure life for his family. He applied his work ethic to study and became the first 4.0 graduate in 1984 with his AA from the Sisseton Wahpeton Community College. He went on to Moorhead State University where he earned his bachelor degree in Human Services and then to the University of South Dakota for a Masters in Public Administration. In 1999, he became only the second Native American to receive a PH.D from South Dakota State University. Dr. Lawrence became the President of the Sisseton Wahpeton Community College and a Professor of Sociology, providing leadership through some very difficult years. He served as a Professor of Ethnic Studies at the Minnesota State University, Mankato for two years and received the Dean's Diversity Award. Dr. Lawrence wrote four books, The Peace Seekers: The Indian Christians and the Dakota Conflict (2005), Stories and Reflections From an Indian Perspective (2008), Stepping Off the Keelboat (2013), and Stories and Reflections From an Indian Perspective, Volume 2. He was a contributing author in four other books and has written several journal articles of a scholarly nature. He served two terms as a tribal council member and was appointed to a partial term as Tribal Secretary of The Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe. Dr. Lawrence personal mission was the bridging the gap between mainstream American and American Indian cultures. In the final analysis, according to Dr. Lawrence, history must tell its own story. "We can't create history in our own image, according to how we would like it to be. The truth in history is for those who are willing to spend the time and make the effort to find it." Dr. Elden Eugene Lawrence passed away at his home on July 4, 2014.
Elden is survived by his wife, Kim Lawrence of Peever, SD; one son, Derrick Lawrence of Peever, SD; one daughter, Debbie and husband, Joey Anderson of Peever, SD; six grandchildren and one great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.
Elden was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson, Benjamin Anderson, eight brothers and one sister.
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