Lanny Gene Richter, age 58 of Granville, IA passed away Sunday, May 7, 2023, at the Orange City Area Health System in Orange City, IA.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 11, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Granville, IA, with Father Daniel Greving officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Granville. Visitation with family present will be Wednesday from 4-7 p.m., there will be a rosary and vigil prayer service at 5 p.m. all at the church in Granville. Visitation will resume 1 hour prior to the funeral on Thursday at the church. Services have been entrusted to Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen, IA. Condolences may be sent online at www.fischfh.com
Lanny, the son of Marlyn & Norma Jean (Tewes) Richter, was born on September 20, 1964 in Primghar, IA. He was baptized on November 1, 1964, in Hartley, Iowa. Lanny was raised on the family farm near Granville, Iowa and had a passion for farming. He covered many acres doing field work with the D-17 Allis Chalmers. He began plowing at the age of eight.
Lanny received his education at Paullina Community School and graduated in 1983. He then began farming with his dad and lived on the farm, until moving to his house in Granville in 2008. His house was filled with all that he loved including a variety of tractors and Chevrolet décor. His kitchen was decorated in Allis Chalmers tractors, that he had collected, as that was what he and his dad farmed with.
Over the years, Lanny worked as a farm assistant at Mid Plains Cattle Feeders in Sutherland, IA and for Ray Hansen of Marcus, IA. He also worked at Walmart, Diamond Vogel Paints, Link Manufacturing & Evertek, Inc. Lanny was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Granville and a member of the Granville Improvement Club. The church picnic and car show were events he enjoyed each year.
Lanny was an avid tractor collector. His collection entails a variety of sizes from 1:64 to 1:16. He enjoyed the precision 1:16 the most because they contain all of the parts and the details on the tractors are more evident. Each tractor within his collection had a story, each one contained a memory or more. Lanny also enjoyed country music, cowboy boots, 80’s Rock music, and he especially loved his 2002 Chevy pickup truck. Lanny was well known for his immaculate pickups that he drove over the years and that habit carried through to the tractors that he drove as well.
Lanny was diagnosed with Facial Scapular Muscular Dystrophy in 8th grade. His disease ended his farming career at the age of 37, many years sooner than he desired. Although he found other areas to focus on, agriculture was still what he truly enjoyed most. Even though his disease prevented him from physically being in the field, Lanny continued to enjoy farming through games, websites, RFD TV, and tractor pulls.
Lanny moved to Happy Siesta Health Care Center in January of 2023. He was finalizing his décor in the last month. Lanny was a great example of courage and strength. He made an impression on several hearts throughout his lifetime.
Left to cherish his memory are his sister and brother-in-law, Christine and Chris Hunt of Granville, IA. Seven nieces and nephews Ben Zeutenhorst of Granville, IA; Samantha Zeutenhorst of Sioux City, IA; Sydney Zeutenhorst of Granville, IA; Justin (Heidi) Hunt of Granville, IA; Katie (Matt) Zavadil of Volin, SD; Lucas (Rebekah) Hunt of Primghar, IA; and Mitchell Hunt of Granville, IA; seven great nieces & nephews, several relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Norma Jean, on February 29, 1984, his father, Marlyn, on November 3, 2022, along with many relatives and friends.
Casket bearers will be Chris Hunt, Steve Puhrmann, Steve Hunt, Duane Niichel, Benjamin Zeutenhorst, Justin Hunt, Lucas Hunt & Mitchell Hunt.
Honorary bearers will be Samantha Zeutenhorst, Sydney Zeutenhorst & Katie Hunt-Zavadil.