Ronald Lanning

Ronald Lanning, 90, of Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, passed away Friday, February 24, 2012, at the VA Center in Cheyenne. Ronald was born November 6, 1921, in Akron, Colorado, a son of the late J.E. and Mary (York) Lanning. Ronald graduated from Banner County High School in Harrisburg, Nebraska, in 1939. He was drafted on June 19, 1942, by the United States Army during World War II and served with distinction in the Normandy Theatre of Operations during the first wave of the second day of the storming of Omaha Beach. His courageous service resulted in his receipt of two Bronze Stars. He was honorably discharged on October 12, 1945, and returned home to live with his parents and work on the family farm in Kimball County, Nebraska. Ronald married LaVetra J. Bodley on October 4, 1948. He continued farming in Kimball County and later in Laramie County, Wyoming, until his retirement in 2002. A lifelong New York Yankee fan and Nebraska Cornhusker football fan, he also enjoyed attending his children and grandchildren's sporting and music events. He was founding member of the Lindbergh Co-Op, a member of the Lindbergh Baptist Church and an active member of the Pine Bluffs Baptist Church where he held various church offices. Ronald is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, LaVetra Lanning of Pine Bluffs; two sons, Mark Lanning and wife, Dena, of Pine Bluffs, and Carey Lanning of Pine Bluffs; his daughter, Peg Lopez and husband, Joe, of Cheyenne; eight grandchildren, Adam Lanning and wife, Kelly, Blake Lanning and wife, Ashley, Grant Lanning, Nichole Lanning, Marshall Lanning, Shauna Lanning, Devon Daly and husband, Brian, and Jeremy Lopez; two great-granddaughters, KiyEllen and Raelene Lanning; a sister-in-law, Maxine Lanning of Pine Bluffs; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Irene Russell and Iris Houdyshell; two brothers, Melvin Lanning and Charles Lanning; two infant brothers, Marvin and Robert Lanning; an infant great-grandson, Carter Lanning; his father and mother-in-law, George and Minnie Bodley; and an infant brother-in-law, Marshall Bodley. Visitation will be private. A funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday, February 28, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. at the Pine Bluffs Baptist Church with Pastor Daniel R. DeBruyn officiating. An interment service with Military Honors will follow at the Pine Bluffs Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in Ronald's memory may be made to the Pine Bluffs Baptist Church, 418 Pine Street, Pine Bluffs, WY 82082, or a veteran's organization of one's choice.

Service

Tuesday, February 28, 2012 1:00pm

Pine Bluffs Baptist Church

418 Pine Street

PINE BLUFFS, WY 82082

Interment

Pine Bluffs Cemetery

Pine Bluffs

PINE BLUFFS, WY 82082