Ralph Charles Lane, age 97, of Greenfield, IA, passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Creston, IA. He was born November 12, 1926, in Adair County to Albert and Ethel (Sackett) Lane.
Ralph attended Grove Township country school and graduated from Greenfield High School in 1944. He then served in the US Army Transportation Medical Corp during WW II on the USS Stevens; he made three trips to Italy and two trips to Germany to bring injured soldiers home.
Ralph married Phyllis Raper on July 16, 1946. To this union Gary Alan and Connie Sue were born. On May 21, 1951, both Phyllis and Connie Sue were killed in a tragic accident. Ralph married Patricia Ann Ossian of Creston, IA, on June 7, 1952. To this union three children were born: Ronald, Peggy Jo, and Leroy. They made their lives on farms for a few years in the Greenfield and Fontanelle areas, Ralph then took a job with Shelby-East Pott Supply Co. in Avoca, IA. In 1956, Ralph obtained employment with the Iowa State Highway Commission at Fairfield, IA. He was transferred to Muscatine in 1961, and back to Fairfield in 1966, staying there until he retired in 1982. Upon retiring, Ralph and Pat became full-time RV-ers; spending the winters in Texas and Arizona and the summers traveling the great Northwest many times, including three trips to all the provinces in Canada and also many trips to Mexico. The most cherished of all however, were the times spent with their children and grandchildren. Finally, the time came to slow down and they “retired” from RVing to a senior living center in Greenfield, IA.
Survivors include: Gary Lane of Omaha, NE, and his two sons, Robert A Vannier of Alabama, and Troy (Mary) Lane of Omaha, NE; Ronald (Sheryl) Lane of Altoona, IA and children Tiffany (Matt) Warren of Pella, IA, Derek Lane of Ottumwa, IA, Jennifer (Tyler) Hallberg of Pomeroy, IA, and Alyson (Josh) Miller of Boone, IA; Peggy Jo (Chuck) Griffin of Burlington, IA, and children Tawn (Eric) Fenton of Waverly, IA, Travis (Katie) Hansen of Davenport, IA, and Allison (Kevin) Bergman of New London, IA; Leroy (Debbie) Lane of Omaha, NE, and children Jennifer Anit of Omaha, NE, Brad (Jade) Lane of Memphis, TN, Eric (Abby) Lane of Elizabeth, CO, Summer (Steve) Hospodka, Sierra Hubbard, and Sonja (Kris) Bruno all of Omaha, NE; and 32 great-grandchildren.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, sister Thelma, niece Pamela Sue (John) Chaky, wife Phyllis (Raper), daughter Connie Sue, wife Patricia (Ossian) and grandson Gary Alan Lane Jr.
The children will host a celebration of life graveside service to honor both their father Ralph and mother Patricia on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 11:00 AM in the Greenfield Cemetery, just south of Greenfield on Highway 25. Military rights will be afforded Ralph.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Ralph and Patricia’s names to Kindred Hospice.
Ralph Charles Lane age 97 of Greenfield, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Creston, IA. He was born November 12, 1926, in Adair County to Albert and Ethel (Sackett) Lane.
Ralph attended country school in Grove Township and graduated from Greenfield High School in 1944. He went on to serve in the Medical Corp. of the Transportation in the US Army during WWII on the USS Stevens, making three trips to Italy and two to Germany.
He married Phyllis Raper July 16, 1946. To this union two children were born, Gary Alan and Connie Sue. On May 21, 1951, Phyllis and Connie Sue were killed in a tragic accident. Ralph later married Patricia Ann Osslan of Creston, Iowa. To this union three children were born, Ronald, Peggy Jo, and Leroy. They made their home on farms for a few years in the Greenfield and Fontanelle areas. Ralph then took a job with Shelby-East Pott. Supply Co. in Avoca, Iowa. A short time later he obtained employment with the Iowa State Highway Commission at Fairfield, Iowa in 1956. He was transferred to Muscatine in 1961. In January 1966, he was transferred back to Fairfield and retired there in 1982. Upon retiring they were full-time RV-ers, spending the winters in Texas and Arizona and the summers traveling to the great northwest many times, to all the provinces in Canada (3 times) and many trips to Mexico. The most cherished of all however were the times spent with their children and grandchildren. Finally, the time came to slow down, and he and Patricia retired from RV-ing to a senior center in Greenfield.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Phyllis, daughter Connie Sue and grandson Gary Alan Jr.
