Lawrence Leonard Sowieja

Lawrence Sowieja, 87, went into the loving arms of his Savior Jesus Christ on January 13, 2017, while comforted by family, at Fairview Nursing Home in Dodge Center. His spirit and joy will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. , Tuesday, January 17th, Mass service at St. John Baptist Catholic Church with Father Thomas Niehaus officiating. Internment will be in the spring at Riverside Cemetery.
Lawrence Leonard Sowieja was born November 6, 1929, at home in Holdingford, Minnesota, one of six sons and ten children of John and Anna Sowieja. He grew up on the family farm, graduated from Dodge Center and upon graduating held various jobs until he was united in marriage to Marcella Anderson on March 10, 1951. The couple celebrated 63 years of marriage until her death in 2014. Following their marriage the couple moved to Atlanta, Georgia where Lawrence finished his stint with the Signal Corp, U.S. Army during the Korean War as a morse code radio operator. From there, on to San Louis Obispo, California until the couple was called back home to Minnesota in 1954 to care for ill parents. They made the decision to plant stakes in Dodge Center and raise their family.
Lawrence had a long career with Midwest Foods in Owatonna, as well as farmed several acres in Dodge Center. He was an avid pilot in his younger years, a bowler with two perfect rolled games, a fisherman, hunter and proud owner of two Pope and Young World Records. He served a stint as president of the Minnesota Association For Retarded Children, a member of the Knights of Columbus, as well as the American Legion Post 384.
Lawrence is survived by daughter Ann, Plano, TX, son Mark Sowieja and fiancé Jeannie Peterson, Owatonna, MN; 2 grandchildren, Tim Sowieja and wife Jody, Maple Grove, MN; Kim Medill and husband Tabe, Allen, TX; as well as 4 great-grandchildren – Tyler Szala, George Medill, Elle and Mady Sowieja.
He was preceded in death by his wife Marcella, his daughter Jane, his parents John and Anna, sisters Helen, Mary, Rose, Pat and brothers Leonard and Jerome.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7, Monday, January 16, 2017, at Czaplewski Funeral Home, 25 South Street SW, Dodge Center, MN with Rosary at 7:00 p.m.
Blessed be his memory.