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Lawrence Mills Obituary

Dr. Lawrence Ferguson Mills, Professor (Emeritus) of Art, Central College, Pella, Iowa died at the age of 93 on January 5th, 2017.

Lorenzo (as he enjoyed being called), taught Art and Art History at Central for 43 years.

He attended Grinnell College, was a Drake University graduate, a Fulbright scholar, earned his MFA from the University of Georgia and PhD from the University of Iowa. His specialty of Mayan Art history earned him the honor of a period of ceramics named "The Mills Period". He was instrumental in the establishment of an overseas campus in Merida,Yucatan, Mexico. His notable service in World War II was as an officer aboard the USS Boise in the Pacific theater.

Professor Mills was a lifelong scholar of art, history and the natural world as his daily creative entries in his hand bound sketch journals attest. His conversations were replete with insightful questions, discussions and quick witted sometimes adult humor.

A treasured accomplishment where he also certainly found solace, inspiration and purpose was the conservation of his family timberland homesteaded in 1854 and with his efforts protected in perpetuity via the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.

He was preceded in death by his wife Evangeline Lubbers and brother Max Milo Mills. He is survived by his children Marcus (Peggy) Mills (Olivia, Hillary, Caroline), Lisa (Michael) Mills-LaValle (Evangeline, Antoinette, Genevieve), Thaddeus (Megan) Mills (Max, Eliza) and dear friend Tamiko VanZante.

A celebration of life gathering is planned for January 21st from 4:00-6:00 at Trellis Café in Des Moines. A memorial open house is also planned for the Mills Gallery, Central College in Pella, Iowa on May 20th from 1-4pm.

In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation or Art Department of Central College.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Des Moines Register on Jan. 15, 2017.

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Memorial Events
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Jan

21

Celebration of Life

4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Trellis Café

Des Moines, IA

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