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Leonard ‘Dick’ Lano Obituary – 2/6/2011


Leonard “Dick” Joseph Lano, age 87, of Norwood Young America, died Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, surrounded by his family, at the Banner Gardens Hospital in Mesa, AZ.

He was born July 4, 1923, in Chaska, the son of Gerhard and Elizabeth (Peine) Lano. Dick was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth at Guardian Angels Church in Chaska.

He received his education in Chaska, and was a graduate of the Guardian Angels High School, class of 1941. Dick furthered his education by attending Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis.

He entered active military service in the US Navy Seabees Jan. 21, 1943, and served his country in the Aleutian Islands and South Pacific during World War II. Dick received an honorable discharge Jan. 30, 1946.

Dick was united in marriage to Delphine Hennek Aug. 4, 1951, at St. Lawrence Church in Duelm, MN. This marriage was blessed with nine children: Tom, Jack, Bill, Mary, Ann, Paul, Bob, Barb and Andy.

Dick and Del resided in Norwood Young America, and shared 59 years of marriage.

After serving in World War II, Dick returned to Chaska and, with his brothers, founded Lano Brothers Implement. They expanded the business to Norwood in 1960. In 1989, Dick retired and turned Lano Equipment of Norwood over to his sons.

He was a faithful member of Church of the Ascension in Norwood Young America.

Dick was a proud business owner and community leader in both Chaska and Norwood Young America. He was an owner and board member of Citizens State Bank. Dick was a lifetime member of the NYA American Legion and VFW, Chaska and Norwood volunteer fire departments (serving as fire chief in both communities, and was one of the founders of the Norwood Ambulance Service in 1967), finance committee for Ascension Church, Norwood City Council, committee to merge Norwood and Young America, Norwood Boosters Club, and the Peace Villa Board of Directors. He was a devoted member of the daily Midtown Café coffee club.

Dick enjoyed bowling, fishing, and golfing. He was an avid supporter of the Norwood baseball team. He was a season ticket holder of the Minnesota Vikings since the charter season, and a big fan of Twins baseball.

Dick will be missed by his large family and the community, as well as the extended family that formed over the past 20 years while he and Del wintered in Mesa, AZ.

Dick is survived by his wife, Delphine Lano of Norwood Young America; children Tom Lano, Jack Lano and his wife, Janell, all of Norwood Young America, Bill Lano and his wife, Bonnie, of Waconia, Mary Wilson and her husband, Curt, of Norwood Young America, Ann Wengronowitz and her husband, Jon, of Minnetonka, Paul Lano and his wife, Terri, Bob Lano and his special friend, Julie, all of Norwood Young America, Barb Rummel and her husband, Mike, of Edina, and Andy Lano and his wife, Kari, of Chaska; and 17 grandchildren, who all made him proud;

He is further survived by a sister, Cecky and Ray Maiser of Mesa, AZ; brothers Clarence Lano of Harlingen, TX, Gerhard and Rebecca Lano of Mesa, AZ, and Bernard and Merc Lano of Carver; sisters-in-law Thecla Hennek of Champlin, Alvina Fiecke of Winsted, Grace Ann Wolter of Sauk Rapids, and Joan Hennek of Foley; brothers-in-law Dick Henk of Harlingen, TX, Calvin Anderson of Sauk Rapids, and Cy and Midge Hennek of Farmington; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Gerhard and Elizabeth Lano; sisters Barbara Doyle (Dick’s twin) and her husband, John, and Marie Henk; brothers Joe Lano and his wife, Audrey, and Francis Lano; sisters-in-law Sis Lano, and Marion Anderson; and brothers-in-law Goodwin Hennek, Lawrence Fiecke, Cy Wolter, and LeRoy Hennek.

Mass of Christian Burial took place Saturday, Feb. 12 at 10:30 a.m. at Church of the Ascension in Norwood Young America, with Father Paul Ardolf officiating. Marilee Widmer was the organist. Soloist Lawrence Biermann sang “The King Is Coming.” Congregational hymns were “Amazing Grace,” “Here I Am Lord,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “On Eagle’s Wings.” Interment was in the church cemetery.

Casket bearers were Tom Lano, Jack Lano, Bill Lano, Paul Lano, Bob Lano, and Andy Lano.

Arrangements by the Paul-McBride Funeral Chapel of Norwood Young America. Online obituaries and guest book available at www.hantge.com. Please click on Obituaries/Guest Book.

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