After 77 cherished years, Lawrence Ralph Hosker passed away in the early morning hours of Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Lawrence was born in Grande Prairie on June 20, 1949, to parents Ralph and Molly Hosker. The second of five siblings, he spent his childhood moving around the Wembley and Pipestone area. He attended school until the age of fifteen, when he started working as a labourer around Alberta, from doing seismic in the Rockies to hauling logs for Canfor. Later, he went back to school and earned his heavy-duty mechanic certification at the age of thirty. He was a man with many facets, surviving more than most ever saw and choosing to thrive regardless of it, whether scowling or smiling.

Lawrence was known to be calm and quiet, reading Louis L’Amour novels and playing card games. He preferred to run the bar at a get-together rather than to visit it. He was also an adventurous outdoorsman, quadding and sledding, and loved to keep and ride horses. He was a man of contradictions, riding his motorcycle like a daredevil and blushing when he forgot to mind his language in front of his wife (at least in the early days). Hardworking and mischief-loving, he always teased as fiercely as he loved and was affectionately known by many names: Lawrencey by his wife, Ann Hosker (née Gerow), and siblings; Dad by children Sandi and Bryan Hosker; “Tubby” by extended friends and family, especially his brother Don; Uncle Lawrence by his many nieces and nephews; and Grumpa by grandchildren Haley and Dakota Evens.

He was predeceased by his son, Bryan Hosker; parents Ralph and Molly Hosker; brother Don Hosker; in-laws Lloyd and Nellie Gerow; and brother-in-law George Gerow.

Lawrence will be dearly missed by more people than can be named, including his wife, Ann; daughter Sandi (Dennis Evens) Hosker and grandchildren Haley and Dakota Evens; sisters Lynne (Gary Berghout) Hosker, Rhonda (Kris Bro) Hosker, and Ruth Hosker, and all their children and grandchildren; sisters-in-law Frances Hosker and Marlowe Gerow-Pelletier, and all their children and grandchildren; chosen family, the MacAlisters and Watts; along with countless friends and family members.

The funeral ceremony will be held on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Oliver’s Funeral Home in Grande Prairie (10005-107 Ave), followed by tea in Oliver’s Tea Room.

Memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (www.heartandstroke.ca/) or a charity of one’s choice.