Laurence Dudley

FUNERAL SERVICES : will be at 10:00 A.M., February 15, 2010 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN with Pastor Kent Dudley and Pastor Rick Clyde officiating.VISITATION : will be from 5 - 7:00 P.M.,Saturday, February 13, 2010 at the funeral home.INTERMENT :Interment will be in the Dudley family plot in the Lake George Cemetery, Lake George, MN.SURVIVORS : Buster will be lovingly remembered by his nine children: Darlene (Don) Sandwick and JoAnne (Ray) Entrikin both of Bracketville, TX, Janet (Terry) Sunde of Holdingford, MN, Sharon (Harold) Christianson of Bemidji, MN, Lora Lee Dudley of Park Rapids, Annette "Nettie" (Joe) Hanes of Rockport, IL, Jeffrey (Cynthia) Dudley of Becida, MN, Barbara (Gus) Brady of Maumelle, Arkansas, Kent (Shantel) Dudley of Leonard, MN; 27 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. LAURENCE LEE "Buster" DUDLEY November 9, 1911 " February 11, 2010 Laurence Lee "Buster" Dudley, age 98, a long time Lake George, MN area resident was peacefully ushered into Eternity in the early morning hours of Thursday, February 11, 2010 at the home of his son, Kent and wife, Shantel. Buster was born on November 9, 1911 near Lake George, MN to Major and Electa (Whiting) Dudley. He attended the Niawa Country School south of Lake George through the eighth grade. As a young man, Buster worked on logging crews in camps throughout Northern MN. He was united in marriage to Arlene White on July 25, 1934 in Park Rapids, MN. This union was blessed with ten children: Laurence Jr., Darlene, JoAnne, Janet, Sharon, Lora Lee, Annette, Jeffrey, Barbara and Kent. The young couple made their home in Lake George. During World War II, Buster entered the United States Army infantry where he proudly served his country until his honorable discharge. After the war, Buster returned to Lake George where he and Arlene raised a large family and became immersed in the community and church life. Buster supported his family for many years by logging in the area forests and farming. In 1947, he began working as a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service in a career that spanned over 26 years until his retirement in 1973. He was a charter member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake George where he enjoyed worshipping and fellowshipping throughout most of his life. He served on the Lake George Town Board for a number of years. As a young man, Buster enjoyed playing baseball with the Lake George team until he was in his fifties. He loved the out of doors; especially when he could be hunting, fishing or picking berries with his family. His life was deeply saddened by the death of his eldest son, Laurence Jr. who drowned in 1961. In September of 2002, he again felt the pain of grief when his beloved Arlene preceded him to Heaven. Since the time of her death, Buster was enthusiastically welcomed into the home of his son, Kent. He has especially enjoyed attending the Faith Bible Chapel where his son, Kent is Pastor. Buster will be lovingly remembered by his nine children: Darlene (Don) Sandwick and JoAnne (Ray) Entrikin both of Bracketville, TX, Janet (Terry) Sunde of Holdingford, MN, Sharon (Harold) Christianson of Bemidji, MN, Lora Lee Dudley of Park Rapids, Annette "Nettie" (Joe) Hanes of Rockport, IL, Jeffrey (Cynthia) Dudley of Becida, MN, Barbara (Gus) Brady of Maumelle, Arkansas, Kent (Shantel) Dudley of Leonard, MN; 27 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his son, Laurence; his wife, Arlene; 6 sisters: Lila, Evelyn, Elsie, Ruth, Berta and Pearl and two brothers: Reginald "Pat" and Roy. Funeral services will be held 10 AM Monday, February 15, 2010 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with Pastor Kent Dudley and Pastor Rick Clyde officiating. Special music will be provided by Kent Dudley and Rick and Sherry Clyde. The casket bearers will be Buster"s grandchildren. Interment will be in the Dudley family plot in the Lake George Cemetery, Lake George, MN. Following the funeral service a luncheon will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake George. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM Saturday, February 13, 2010 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and for one hour prior to the service on Monday.