Lawrence was born on December 8, 1930, to Edward Joseph and Mary Elizabeth Groff Pidima on the family farm near Guernsey, IA. He graduated from Guernsey Consolidated Schools with the class of 1948. During the Korean Conflict, he served with the United States Army and he spent eighteen months overseas as a platoon leader. He was decorated as a sharpshooter and won a marksmanship contest. In 1954, Lawrence married Doris Elaine Provin at University Park, Iowa and they were the parents of two sons, David Lawrence and Daryl LaVerne. Lawrence owned and operated a grain and livestock farm for most of his life. He enjoyed making improvements to his farmstead and he replaced all of his buildings. Lawrence practiced soil conservation on his farm and this deed earned the family the Soil Conservation Award for Poweshiek County. He drove a school bus for the BGM School District for thirteen years and he also worked as a mail carrier with the United States Postal Service. Lawrence enjoyed watching western movies like Bonanza and his favorite Lonesome Dove. He also had a passion for horses, western wear, especially boots and hats. The most important thing in his life was his wife of 57 years as well as his sons and his grandchildren, Chelsey and Cale Pidima. Those left to mourn Lawrence's passing are his loving wife, Doris Pidima of Guernsey; his sons, David (Jeannie) Pidima of Brooklyn, and Daryl Pidima of Guernsey; his grandchildren; and many relatives and friends. Lawrence died on Friday, May 18, 2012, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center. He was 81 years of age and he was preceded in death by his parents.