Br. Leonard Lawrence O.F.M.

Br. Leonard Lawrence, O.F.M., a Franciscan friar of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with headquarters in Atlanta, GA, died on the evening of Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the age of 95, in hospice care at the Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center in Manitowoc, WI.

Br. Leonard was born in St. Paul, MN, on September 3, 1929, to Francis and Agnes (Ryan) Lawrence. In his baptism, at St. Paul’s Church, he was given the name, ‘Gerald’.  He was raised in Belle Plaine, MN, and confirmed at SS Peter and Paul Parish there.   

After high school, Gerald joined the U.S. Army and spent his tour of duty in post-WW II Europe.  Returning from the service, and discerning a call to religious life,  he began his Franciscan formation working on the construction crew at St. Paschal’s Brothers’ School in Oak Brook, IL.   He was received into the Franciscan novitiate in Teutopolis, IL on June 21, 1962, and was given the religious name of “Leonard”.  Provincial Minister, Fr. Dominic Limacher, O.F.M., received his solemn profession on June 22, 1966.

In his 60 plus years as a Franciscan friar, Br. Leonard served his Franciscan Order in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin, serving in a variety of ministries: doing maintenance work, making Franciscan sandals, as a missionary in Brazil, as the friary cook, as part of a retreat house staff, serving meals to the poor, caring for the elderly friars in his community, being in community leadership, etc.   While serving in some of these ministries, he went back to school and became an LPN, and then worked for close to 25 years as a nurse in the province infirmary and later in several local hospitals where he lived.   He was described by a cousin as an adventurous guy who was fun to be with and, by a former seminarian, as a very kind, gentle, and caring soul.

Br. Leonard retired in 2014, lived in Manitowoc, WI for a year, and then in Alton, Il for 5 years.  He moved back to Blessed Giles Friary in Manitowoc, WI in 2020.  Declining health a year later necessitated a move to the nursing center at Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center in Manitowoc, WI.  He died there on May 7, 2025.

Br. Leonard is preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Agnes, as well as his sister, Julia (Sr. Lucille, OSB),  and two brothers,  John and James.  He is survived by his Franciscan brothers, as well as numerous cousins, some of whom have been very faithful in visiting him throughout the years.

The friars would like to express their appreciation to Br. Leonard’s caregivers at Blessed Giles Friary in Felician Village, as well as the nursing home staff at Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center and the staff at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice in Sheboygan Falls and Manitowoc, WI.

Funeral services for Br. Leonard will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the chapel at Calvary Cemetery,  2601 S. 14th Street in Manitowoc, WI, beginning with a Visitation at 10:00 am and the Mass of Resurrection at 11:00 am, followed by burial in the friars’ plot at Calvary Cemetery.

In your kindness, please consider making a donation in memory of Br. Leonard Lawrence, O.F.M., for the continued care of the retired Franciscan brothers and priests of the province. Any donation would be greatly appreciated.  Please send your charitable donation to:  Franciscan Friars of Missouri for the benefit of Blessed Giles Friary, 3140 Meramec Street, St. Louis, MO, 63118   Attn:  Finance Office.  May God bless you.

The Lakeshore Family Funeral Home, Pfeffer location, Manitowoc, WI is assisting the friars with funeral arrangements.  Online condolences may be expressed by visiting:  https://www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com/pfeffer-funeral-home-obituaries.

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