Virginia Lucille Lawrence 'Dolly', age 88, of Porcupine, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2026 in Westminster, Colorado. She was born to Peter Morse and Olive Agnes (Graham) Cummings on December 10, 1937, in Alliance, Nebraska. Evelyn Stover (Hungry) was her beloved older sister. Virginia will be remembered for her strength and love of nursing.

Virginia Lawrence was married to Vernal Leon Tolle and had four children, Linda Kathryn Herzberg, Vernaline Elizabeth Gogue, Vernal Leon Wright, and Morse Paul Lawrence. Virginia Lawrence later married, Merl Wright, Bud Lawrence, and then remarried Vernal Tolle again. Virginia Lawrence was blessed with 10 grandchildren, Janet Callahan (Barry), John Herzberg (Alex), Michael Herzberg, Jennifer Baka, Jo Gogue, Joseph Gogue (Kathy), Jeff Gogue (Mary Ellen), Hillary Knutsen (Travis), Jared Lawrence, and Bailey Lawrence; 20 great-grandchildren, Alex Callahan, Bethany Callahan, Cela Gogue-Morakinyo, Rin Joelle Gogue, Saharrah Hamann (Matthew), Sekou Gogue, Sabine Baka, Simeon Baka, Amaya Gogue, Josiah Gogue, Jonah Gogue, Lila Gogue, Beau Freese, Aidan Gogue, Carly Gogue, MacKenzie, Mckenna Rimel, Maddox Rimel, Kara Knutsen, Connor Knutson, and Bailey’s child and two great-great-grandchildren, Beau's son, Lake and Saharrah and Matthew Hamann's daughter Sadie Jo. Nieces, Bernadette Stover, Gina Veo, Donna Stover, Kathy Stover; nephew, James Timothy Stover, and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews

Virginia Lawrence was preceded in death by her father, Peter Cummings; her mother, Olive Graham; her sister, Evelyn Stover; her brother-in-law, William (Benny Stover); son-in-law Jose Gogue; grandson, Jeff Gogue; granddaughter Jo Gogue; niece, Mary Black Bird; nephews, William Stover, Russell Stover; and husbands, Vernal Tolle, Bud Lawrence, and Merl Wright.

Virginia Lawrence's passion was nursing. She knew she wanted to be a nurse when she was four years old. A neighbor who was a community nurse would let Virginia carry her bag for her. Virginia was the first married woman with children allowed into St. John's Nursing School in Rapid City, and only the second married woman allowed. Virginia had three children at the time she was admitted to the school. The instructors at the school were nuns and Virginia said they were very strict.

Virginia was very close to her sister, Evelyn Stover and considered her not only a sister but also a mother. They would travel together while Evelyn was able. Evelyn was a great source of comfort and advice. Her cousin, Joyce Salway was considered a sister by Virginia and they spent many hours drinking coffee and talking.

Virginia loved chicken, steak, and mashed potatoes. She loved to shop and would spend hours roaming Walmart. When she was a young adult, she loved looking at trailers and thought trailers were better than houses. Virginia was a devoted Christian. Virginia taught her family the value of hard work and education.

Virginia worked in many roles as a nurse including obstetrics, surgery ward, psychiatric, substance abuse, dialysis, school nurse, home health nurse, and director of nursing. She worked for the federal government including several VA hospitals, several Indian Health Services hospitals, and an Army hospital before retiring. Then she worked approximately 15 years at Wolf Creek School. Virginia Lawrence retired from Wolf Creek School and would have still worked as a nurse but her health prevented it. Virginia also encouraged many nursing students and taught psychiatric nursing at Oglala Lakota College.

Virginia and Bud Lawrence ran cattle at the Lawrence Ranch near Porcupine, SD until Bud passed away and then Virginia leased out the land for cattle and hay until her health forced her to move to Rapid City.

While in Rapid City, Vernal Tolle came to see his children and their families. Virginia and Vernal discussed what had happened in the past and that they still loved each other. Despite many health issues, Vernal and Virginia married while in Monument Hospital and were devoted to each other. Virginia lived 17 months after Vernal died. She died in Colorado because they could not find a place for her in South Dakota. Although she did not want to move out of South Dakota, she did like Colorado because there were mountains and because the people at Clear Creek Care Center were nice and friendly.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your local nursing college.

Visitation will be 4:00 to 6:00 pm Monday, July 20 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, with the West River Nurse Honor Guard Ceremony at 5:00 pm.

Her Funeral Service will be 10:30 am, on Tuesday, July 21, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 717 Quincy Street, in Rapid City.

Burial Service will be at 12:00 noon at Pine Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.