Larry Dee Lanning
Larry Dee Lanning was born on July 30, 1943 in Lincoln Nebraska and died May 25, 2023 in Waverly Nebraska at the age of 79. Born to Elmer and Fern (Taylor) Lanning, Larry was the youngest of four. Siblings include Winnifred and husband Verne Dowding of Eagle Nebraska, Carol and husband Max Biggs of Lincoln Nebraska, and Kent Lanning of Atlanta Georgia.
Larry was part of District 8 in Eagle Nebraska and attended a one-room schoolhouse until high school where he attended Palmyra High School and graduated in 1961. He was a student manager for boys’ basketball teams and active in FFA, and boys’ choir.
Larry married Barb Hofker on August 13, 1971 in Lincoln Nebraska, and were united almost 52 years. Together, they had two children, Erica Smith of Utica Nebraska and Kevin Lanning of Columbia Missouri. Erica and her husband Kevin of Lincoln Nebraska have one daughter, Abi Joy Rose. Kevin is married to Krystal of Adams Nebraska.
Larry served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1971, serving one tour in Vietnam. He spent most of his work career at Burlington Northern Railroad, primarily at the Havelock Shops from 1976 to 2003. He was active in Clown Alley #40 from 1978 to 2002 and the VFW in Waverly from 2004 to 2022.
Larry committed his life to Jesus around 1981 and was active in serving the church in the areas of maintenance and usher. He even sang in the choir for a time.
Larry attended the Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Reunion for twenty five years. He was also involved in the Camp Creek Threshers. Larry was an avid donor of blood and gave over six gallons in his lifetime.
Hobbies included woodworking, gardening, and anything that revolved around his family.
Preceded death are parents, Elmer and Fern; brother Kent Lanning; brother-in-law’s Verne Dowding and Max Biggs; many cousins and additional family.
Survivors are wife, Barb Lanning, children Erica (Smith) and Kevin, son-in-law Kevin Smith, daughter-in-law Krystal and granddaughter, Abi Joy Rose.
A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday May 31, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Evangelical Free Church; 2433 Progressive Rd, Seward, NE 68434.
Memorials to St. Croix Hospice: 1001 South 70th St., Suite 113, Lincoln, NE 68510.
To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
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Condolences for Larry Dee Lanning
May our Heavenly father bless your family during this difficult time 💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗
In loving memory of a life beautifully lived and a person very loved. Condolences to your family during this time.
To the Lanning family go my condolences. He was a great uncle! Many times he put a smile on our face and a laugh in our hearts! He will be so very missed!
I am honored to have known Larry and Barb and to experience the love they have for Jesus and how they honor Him.
We love you all so much. 🙂 We have known Larry for 60 tears. I was just a kid when I met Larry. Larry rented a house basement apartment from my parents. Larry had a wonderful sense of humor and used to tease me. 🙂 Larry stayed in touch with my parents when we moved to CA in 1965. He came to visit us. I will always cherish his larger than life smile. At that time Larry was serving in the Vietnam war. My mother suggested to my best friend Barb to write Larry letters of encouragement. 🙂 They wrote so many letters that they fell in love thru the letters. They eventually fell in love. Our hearts are sad grieving that we will miss Larry from this earth. We praise our heavenly Father that one day we will be reunited with God and Larry in heaven. Thank you Larry for your wonderful life long friendship. 🙂 We love you.