Richard J. Lanning

Richard J. Lanning, 89, of Rutland, passed away November 11, 2010 at the Humboldt County Memorial Hospital.  Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Faith United Methodist Church in Humboldt with the Rev. Walden Paige officiating.  Interment will be in Union Cemetery with full military honors by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5240 and Adams American Legion Post 119.  Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Sunday at the Mason~Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt with a Masonic service at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Lanning is survived by his four sons, John (Karma) Lanning of Reedsville, WI, Phillip (Barbara) Lanning of Parker, CO, Paul (Linda) Lanning of Omaha, NE, and Norman “Pete” (Juanita) Lanning of Garner, N.C.; step-son, Loran Rodewald of Phoenix, AZ; step-daughter, Anita (Mike) Peterson of Phoenix, AZ; six grandsons, Eric (Lynn), Jared, Ryan (Rebecca), Matthew, Mark, and Joseph Lanning; four granddaughters, Megan (Nick) Lanza, Kendall Lanning, Sasha (Mark) Morris, and Kirstin Lanning; two step-granddaughters, Cherise (Mike) Valentino, and Paige Peterson; two great granddaughters, Sarah Lanning and Petra Morris; one great grandson, Ender Morris; two step great grandsons, Nicky and Zachary Lanza; step great granddaughter, Tatiana Lanza; two brothers, Gordon (Janice) Lanning of Gilmore City, and Perry “Pat” Lanning of Ames; sister-in-laws, Eileen (Mrs. Stanley) Lanning of Spencer, Dorothy (Mrs. Russell) Lanning of Fort Dodge, and Gloria (Mrs. Eugene) Lanning of Humboldt; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wives, Kathleen and Rosita; brothers, Stanley, Russell, and Eugene Lanning.
Richard John Lanning, the third son of William and Mildred (Cran) Lanning, was born August 15, 1921, on a farm northeast of Bradgate in Humboldt County, Iowa.  He attended school at Bradgate, graduating in 1939.  He began farming and was drafted into the United States Army June of 1942 during World War II.  He was united in marriage to Kathleen O’Donnell on August 11, 1946.  The couple farmed in the Gilmore City, Britt, and Rutland area for 29 years.  Kathleen passed away July of 1975 and Richard married Rosita Miller Rodewald on April 29, 1983.  They continued to live on the farm in Avery Township near Rutland and Richard served as a rural postal service carrier.  Rosita passed away in December of 2009.
Richard was a member of the Faith United Methodist Church, the Masonic Order, past board member of Humboldt Mutual Insurance, past board director of Gilmore City Cooperative and past 4-H leader raising blue ribbon beef steers with his sons.  He enjoyed dancing, especially the polka, and was an avid clock collector and repairman.  He also liked to whittle and made various wooden items, including “brain teaser” puzzles.