Ferman D. Lanning

Ferman D. Lanning, 83, a longtime businessman from Plainview died Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. Ferman was born February 7, 1937 in Maynard, MN to Selmer and Sylvia (Burns) Lanning. He grew up farming and graduated from Dawson High School in 1954. He then joined the US Army and served for two years. On October 3, 1959 he married Doris Anderson at the Grace Lutheran Church in Peterson, MN. They lived in Minneapolis for two years while Ferman worked at the Piggy Wiggly in St. Paul and then worked as a Gerber baby food sales representative. They then moved to Cannon Falls where he worked as an Auctioneer and also for Bob’s Red Owl and then moving to Waseca, MN where he was the District manager for the Red Owl Corporation. In November of 1967 he and Doris moved to Plainview where they purchased Gebert’s Red Owl. Ferman was also involved with grocery stores in St. Charles, Lewiston, Dodge Center, Owatonna and Cresco, Iowa. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plainview. He had also been a member of the Plainview Jaycee’s, Lions Club, PADCO, EDA, MN Grocery’s Association and was on the board of directors at Foresight Bank in Plainview. Ferman enjoyed golfing, Bluegrass music, mowing the lawn and spending time with family and friends.
Ferman is survived by his wife Doris of Plainview; Children, Peggy (Vic) Ching of Plainview, Brian Lanning of Las Vegas, Nevada, Brenda Lanning of Plainview and Tara (Dan) Follmuth of Carver, MN; 9 grandchildren and11 great-grandchildren and 1 sister Gladys Williams of Wilmar, MN.He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 sister Mavis and son-in-law Bill Barnes.
Visitation will be Monday, August 24, 4-8 pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church Christian Life Center in Plainview. A private family funeral service will be Tuesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Pastor Phil Augustine officiating. Burial with Military Graveside Rites conducted by the Plainview American Legion will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Plainview. Covid-19 restrictions will be followed and face masks are required.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred too “Living Hope International “an orphanage in Mexico and one of Ferman’s favorite charities or Immanuel Lutheran Church or Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch.
Schad & Zabel Funeral Home in Plainview is assisting the family with arrangements. Schadandzabelfuneralhomes.com