Obituary of Lanny Lee Dillingham

    Lanny Lee Dillingham, one of four sons of Verlin R. and Alice M. (Jelden) Dillingham, was born March 2, 1936 in Hartley, Iowa. He grew up in Everly, Iowa and received his education there. He participated in chorus, lending his voice in all the high school vocal groups. With his height, he was a natural on the basketball team and as captain of the baseball team, pitched several “no hit – no run” games.

    When the work for the day was caught up and there were no games on the schedule, Lanny and his high school buddies would sometimes take a drive to Hartley to see what was going on. That’s when he met Miss Ardine Welch…trips to Hartley became more frequent (with or without the buddies). Lanny graduated from Everly High School with the class of 1954.

    Following graduation, Lanny continued to work for his uncle, Grover Jelden, on the family farm. Hard work, fresh air, and sunshine must have agreed with him because he chose agriculture as an occupation, crediting his uncle for his love of farming.

   On Sunday, October 14, 1956, Trinity United Church of Christ in Hartley became the setting for the marriage of Lanny and Ardine Ann Welch. Shortly after, they moved to the farm 13 miles north of Hartley, raising their four children here and calling it “home” for the bulk of their married life. In 2003, they moved into the town of Hartley; Lanny continued farming, retiring in 2015.

    Lanny belonged to Hartley’s Meadowbrook Golf and Country Club, as well as Trinity United Church of Christ where he served on the consistory. He had also given his time as a member of the Hartley School Board. Favorite recreational activities included bow hunting, snowmobiling and golfing. Over the years, he and Ardine had enjoyed many evenings dancing and spending time together with good friends.      

    On Friday, August 23, 2024, Lanny passed from this life at the age of 88 years. Preceding him were his parents; and one brother, Larry Dillingham.

    Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Ardine of Hartley; children: Lori (Mike) Salonen of Yankton, South Dakota, Mark (Tammy) Dillingham of Spirit Lake, Iowa, Teri (Mark) Fredericks of Arnolds Park, Iowa, and Lisa (Scott) Kolbeck of Smithville, Missouri; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brothers: Dennis Dillingham and Randy Dillingham; other relatives and a host of good friends.