Laurence J. Falzone was born August 13, 1910, on a farm near Milesville, South Dakota, the son of Lorenzo and Marie Louise (Jacob) Falzone.

He attended country school and later farmed on his father's homestead.  In 1934, he moved to Pierre where he worked various construction jobs.

He entered the National Guard 147 F.A. on May 24, 1939, previous to World War II, and was stationed at Ft. Ord, California, and was discharged September 24, 1940.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army on November 25, 1940, and was honorably discharged on December 8, 1945.  He was overseas for one year, two months, and 13 days, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge under General Eisenhower.  He was a maintenance mechanic, 802 Gr. Tec 4 on 105 MM Howitzers and machine guns, serving in the 84th Infantry.  He was awarded three battle participation stars and was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal for heroic service in combat, downing an enemy aircraft and breaking up strafing attack with a 50 caliber machine gun.  He was in the "Split Rail Division" of the 326th Field Artillery Battalion.

On returing from the service, he moved to Salinas, California, where he worked as a journeyman welder for the Union Ice Company for 23 years.  He had also worked in Sausalito, California, as a welder in the shipyards for a year.

Due to poor health, he returned to Philip and entered the Philip Nursing Home in Septmeber of 1975, where he remained a resident until his death.

Laurence was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Philip and a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.

He never married, he never complained, and was loved by all those who knew and cared for him.  He had a winning smile and may he rest in peace.

Grateful for having shared his life are his sister-in-law, Evelyn Falzone of Milesville; two nephews and their spouses, Jerry and Arlene Falzone of Osakis, Minnesota, and Floren and Debbie Falzone of Milesville; a niece, Sharon Colburn and her husband, Larry, of Elk, Washington; five great-nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Mauriece Falzone, on July 7, 1997.

A memorial is established to the Philip Nursing Home.

Mass of Christian Burial
Saturday, December 12, 1998
11:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

Celebrant
Father Arnold Kari

Altar Servers
Ed Harty - Brad Gebes

Reader
Dan Piroutek

Ushers
Jerry Neville - Dan Piroutek

Music
JoAnne Stilwell - Organist
Maureen Palecek - Vocalist

Active Pallbearers
Joe Gittings - Jack Quinn
George Gittings - Tom Harty
Rudy Lamm - Jim Williams

Honorary Pallbearers
All relatives and friends in attendance

Interment with Military Honors
by the Wheeler-Brooks American Legion Post #173
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota