Lawrence M. Werven

Lawrence Mathern “Bump” Werven, 88, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer at the

Pembina County Memorial Hospital in Cavalier on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 30th, 2019 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Walhalla, ND.   Visitation will be held Sunday, September 29th , 2019 at the Church from 3 to 5 p.m.  with a prayer service to follow at 5 pm.  Burial will be held at St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery in Walhalla.

Lawrence was born on March 12, 1931 to Marthin and Clothilda Werven on a farm near Rosa Lake in Pembina County.   He attended school in Svold.   Lawrence joined the National Guard prior to enlisting in the Army in 1950.  He fought in the Korean War as part of the 48th Field Artillery Battalion, attached to the 7th Infantry Division.   He was discharged in December 1953 with the rank of Sergeant.   Years later he traveled to Washington D.C. as part of the Veterans Honor Flight.  This was an emotional but pride filled trip as he and other veterans were thanked and honored for their Service.

On October 4, 1956 he married Anna Stremick at St. Boniface Catholic Church. They made their home in Walhalla where Lawrence worked many years as an auto and heavy equipment mechanic in Walhalla and surrounding areas.   In 1976 he began working for Pan America Airlines and moved his family to Oman where he worked as a supervisor at Seeb International Airport.   He is believed to be the first American to lead an equipment convoy across the Arabian Peninsula.

Lawrence was well known for his skills as a mechanic.  He restored trucks and tractors many of which appear each summer in area parades.  He enjoyed painting, listening to country music, and spending time with his family.  Lawrence was a member of VFW post 9367 and American Legion Post # 62.  He was also a member of Knights of Columbus council #4485

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents, Brother Maurice, Sister Mae Dahl, and infant brother David.  Lawrence is survived by his wife Anna of 63 years, his children Janice (Dan) Horgan of Walhalla, Joan (Pat) Chaput of Walhalla, Gerry (Beth) Werven of Rochester, MN and Jim (Julie) Werven of West Henrietta, NY;  brothers Donald Werven of Seattle, WA, Matt (Janet) Werven of Backoo, Gordon (Linda) Werven of Cavalier; sisters Evelyn Swift of Des Moines, WA, Luella Latozke of Cavalier, Janet (Glenn) Watson of Cavalier, Betty Hanson of Cavalier and Loraine Martinson of Crystal;  13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.