Lawrence E. Hlebechuk, 90, Dickinson, died Saturday, January 2, 2021 at the St. Luke’s Home, Dickinson. Lawrence’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, January 6, 2021, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Msgr. Thomas Richter as the celebrant. Interment will follow at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Military Honors will be provided by the Dickinson American Legion Post 3 Honor Guard. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson. There will be a rosary and vigil at 6 p.m., Tuesday with Deacon Leonard Krebs presiding.
Lawrence was born January 28, 1930 at Belfield, the son of John and Mabel (Rodakowski) Hlebechuk. He attended school at White Tail Country School and later while staying with his Rodakowski grandparents, he attended Tree Top Country School with his Uncle Casimer.
He enlisted in the United States Army on February 26, 1951, received his training in Hawaii and serving honorably in Korea where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. He was discharged on November 14, 1952. Lawrence returned home and on May 4, 1953 he was united in marriage to Gladys Kubas at St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Church, Gorham.
Lawrence and Gladys began their married life living with his parents until 1957 when they purchased the John and Rosa Haag Ranch, where they raised their family. During this time the Hlebechuk’s raised pigs, cattle, chickens, and turkeys. Lawrence had developed a special love of working with mules and horses, which he pursued throughout his life. When he and Gladys retired in 1990 they bought acreage north of South Heart where they have lived since.
He was a member of the Belfield American Legion, and Queen of Peace Catholic Church.
Lawrence is survived by his wife, Gladys; six children, Thomas (Deb) Hlebechuk, Noreen (Von) Johnson, Randy (Peggy) Hlebechuk, Larry (Alison) Hlebechuk, Levi Hlebechuk, and Sara (Bob) Brown; 16 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Gary; his parents; and sister, Eleanor (Hubert) Whipf.
