Leo F. Lane

Leo F. Lane, age 87, of Yankton, South Dakota, died Sunday, February 8, 2009 at Avera Yankton Care Center in Yankton.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 AM, on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Reverend Bob Lacey officiating. Burial will be at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Yankton with military honors provided by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post No. 791. Visitation is from 3:00 to 8:00 PM, on Wednesday, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with a rosary at 7:00 PM followed by a Scripture Service at 7:30 PM.

Pallbearers are Rick Lane, David Lane, Gary Lane, Rodney Lane, Corey Ewing, Ed Knapp, Curtis Knapp and Jerod Crandall. Honorary pallbearers are the many Lane nieces and nephews.

Leo was born June 20, 1921, in Yankton, South Dakota to Edward and Carrie (Hacecky) Lane. He attended Roosevelt Rural School. Leo was united in marriage to Mildred L. Kaiser on July 15, 1941. World War II took Leo away from his new wife when he was drafted into the Army as a soldier in the 55th Armored Infantry Battalion, 11th Armored Division. From 1942-1945, he was stationed in the European Theatre. Upon his discharge from the Army, Leo and his family moved back to Yankton, where he worked for Gurney's and later Larson Bros. Sheet Metal Shop. In 1958, the family moved to Vermillion, SD, where he opened Lane's Sheet Metal Shop. After suffering a heart attack, Leo went to work as a Heating Engineer for the University of South Dakota for 21 years. Leo retired in 1986, later they returned back to Yankton. He was a talented man who could fix anything. Leo made his family's first camper and boat. Leo enjoyed camping, baseball, football, playing cards and spending time with his family and friends. Leo was a life long member of the VFW and held many offices including commander during that time. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Senior Citizen Center, Charter Member of Clay County Rambler Camping Club and a Charter Member of Good Sam Second Chance Campers. Leo was a wise man with a dry sense of humor who always had a kind word for everyone. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Leo is survived by his wife, Mildred Lane of Yankton; 3 children: Judi (Sonny) Olson of Yankton, Mary-Lou Lane of Parker, CO, and Rick (Aleshia) Lane of Aurora, CO; a daughter-in-law, Cora Lane Gehrt of Manhattan, KS; 4 granddaughters: Lynda Heggestad, Teresa Ewing, Mindy Crandall, and Michelle Lane; 1 grandson, David Lane; and 5 great-grandchildren: Curtis Lane Knapp, Sean and Katie Crandall, Carter Ewing, and Heith Brownell.

Leo was preceded in death by 2 sons: Kenny and Jerry Lane; his parents; 2 sisters, Helen Kaiser and Elsie Lane; and five brothers: Ed, Charlie, John "Bucky", Norman and Glen Lane. He is the last of the six Lane brothers.

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