Lawrence Albert Patzer, age 83 of Austin, died Friday, August 14, 2009 at Austin Medical Center in Austin.
Lawrence was born July 30, 1926 in Stickney, S.D. to Henry and Herminia (Wentzel) Patzer.
 He attended school in Austin until 1939, when he went to work for the Milwaukee Railroad for two years.  He worked construction for two years in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Larry served in the U.S. Army from 1944 until 1946. He was married to Donna Mae Chilson on Aug. 2, 1950 at Mitchell, S.D.  He worked at Hormel Foods from 1946 until his retirement on Feb. 25, 1986.
 Larry enjoyed gardening, traveling with Donna and the dog, Tippy, in their motor home, making home movies and baking cookies for his old friends.  He was a church elder at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, and volunteered with Meals on Wheels for many years.
 Lawrence is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Gladys and Duayne Njos, Ellendale, Minn.; brother, Arnold Patzer, Austin; nieces and nephews.
Lawrence was preceded in death by his wife, Donna, in 2004 and sisters: Violet, Agnes and Josephine.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009 at St. Johns Lutheran Church with the Rev. Thomas Ogilvie officiating.  Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin, with Austin Post No. 91 American Legion in charge of military rites.  Visitation will be at the Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. and for one hour before the service at the church on Tuesday.