Lawrence Henry Piepergerdes

Lawrence H. Piepergerdes, 88, of Independence, passed away April 18, 2017. A visitation will be held Sunday, April 23rd, from 4-6:00pm with a funeral service on Monday, April 24th at 10:00am, both at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St. Independence, MO 64055. Burial with full military honors will follow at Mound Grove Cemetery. Lawrence was born November, 18th, 1928, in Stewartsville, MO to Earl H. and Hattie (Weitlich) Piepergerdes. He graduated high school in Osborn, MO in 1946, and received his AA degree from Graceland College in 1949. He spent 2 years at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, after completing Infantry basic training and then Army Finance School. On September 7, 1952, he married his best friend, Winnifred McCall Higdon. Lawrence graduated from the University of Missouri in 1955, with a degree in accounting and was employed by Chevrolet and then Desert Gold Feed Co. Lawrence was employed by the Community of Christ Church for 28 years and held the priesthood office of Elder. He was a Ham radio operator, a member of the Pony Express Hitchhiker camper club and enjoyed spending time with his wife as a “Winter Texan”. He is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Winnifred, who passed in 2004; his sister, Kathleen and his brother, Darrel. He is survived by his son, Robert and his wife Lori of Liberty, MO; his daughter, Susan McElroy and her husband, Kit of Kearney, MO; grandchildren, Cara (Matt) Lynch, Amie (David) Hatfield, Leah (Alec) Eslick, Hana Piepergerdes, Daniel Klaus and Matthew Klaus; as well as, 2 great-granddaughters. Contributions can be made to Graceland University in memory of Lawrence Piepergerdes, 1 University Place, Lamoni, IA 50140.