Lawrence Connelly was born December 19, 1927 in Cottonwood, South Dakota to John and Mae (Fisher) Connelly. He grew up in the Cottonwood area until moving to Quinn as a young child. Lawrence attended the Doud School and later the Quinn High School where he graduated in 1946.

In 1947 Lawrence moved with his sister Florence to Sedro Wolley, Washington to visit their sister Ann and her husband Loren Cloakey. Lawrence went to work for Skadgit Steel Iron Works building Loggin Donkeys. After leaving ironworking he went to work at Northern State Hospital as an attendant until enlisting in the United States Air Force. In 1948 he got accepted into the Air Force and served at 1st Basic in Wichita Falls, Texas. He served for a few years until he was honorably discharged in Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. At that time he moved back to South Dakota where he worked for Pennington County Highway Department. Lawrence and his brother purchased a bar in Buffalo Gap which they both ran until the late 1960’s.

He was united in marriage to his first wife Yvonne Wilson in 1958, and they had three children together: Julee, Stuart, John, and step-son Charles W. Connelly

In 1980 he was united in marriage to Joyce Deering, and they lived in Vale, South Dakota until Joyce’s death in 1999. A year later in 2000 Lawrence moved back to Wall where he resided until moving to Hot Springs.

Survivors include two sons Stuart Connelly of Larchwood, Iowa, and John Connelly of Sioux Falls; one daughter Julee (Mark) Nelson of Hills, Minnesota; step-sons Charles W. Connelly of Rock Rapids, Iowa, Harry Strong of Sturgis, Mike (Dr. Lori) Strong of Rapid City, and Dennis Strong of Cheyenne, Wyoming; one step-daughter Kathy of Rapid City; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Mae Connelly; six brothers Mike, Don, Bill, James, Steve, and Marlow Connelly; and three sisters Ann Kloke, Nellie Willuweit, and Florence Beck.

Graveside services with military honors will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. Everybody is then welcome to the Sturgis VFW 868 Main Street for a time of lunch and fellowship.