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Lanny Dale Larson, age 79, passed away on the morning of October 26th, 2023, in Tallahassee, FL. Lanny was born on October 31st, 1943, to Donovan Dale Larson and Verna Nelson. They lived on the family dairy in Swedberg, Nebraska, right outside the small town of Wahoo, which later became their home. On the family farm, Lanny had many chores as all farm children do. But he also had the joys of having his own pony, Twinkle. At a very young age he rode the horse to school, each day. The school was a one room schoolhouse with eight students. Apparently, it did no harm to his education, as he was always academically exceptional. He also had the benefits of being able to go off on his pony by himself. He loved fur trapping, hunting, fishing and generally roaming around getting in trouble. After moving to Wahoo, he enjoyed. track, basketball, and football. He joined many clubs, was Homecoming King, and played a role in South Pacific. He never missed a good time, no matter the consequences. Fortunately, his academic life did not suffer. But it was an athletic scholarship that got him into college. After playing football and running track in college, he moved on and the FSU Department of statistics made him an offer in Tallahassee where he completed his PhD. and improved his golf game. His love was applied statistics which would have been so much fun today in the world of Meta Data. His work took him to Key West for a dose of Buffettville and then to Virginia Beach. He added sailing to his sporting portfolio. Finally, he returned to Tallahassee and state government where his assignments were varied and interesting, working in several state agencies, the legislature, Governor’s Office, and Enterprise Florida. The assignments were never boring. The years in Tallahassee with his wife Martha and his children, Thad and Dina, were filled with the joys and trials of all families but his love of his children was everything to him. His church, friends, community and sports were treasured. His Martha was his rock, and their love was deep and abiding. While their marriage of 45 years was long, it was not long enough. The last twenty years was a series of serious sequential illnesses for Lanny and his departure has left a grief that only God can and will assuage. Lanny was preceded in death by his parents, Donavon and Verna Larson, and is survived by his wife, Martha; his children, Dinorah (Ryan) Bailey and Thad (Suhail) Larson; brother, Tom Larson (Sara); grandchildren, Seth Larson, Ariani Harris and Tucker Harris; nephew, Dane Larson (children: Tyce and Kolby; niece, Kimberly Ruth (children Brady and Tyler). His illness robbed him of getting to know well the lovely additions to his family, Barbara, and Savannah. A funeral service for Lanny will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 211 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida on November 8th at 2:00 PM. and he will be interred at Roselawn Cemetery on Piedmont Drive following the reception. In lieu of flowers donations are requested for Grace Mission, 303 W. Brevard St., Tallahassee, FL, 32312 or St. John’s Foundation. Breanna Green of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Tributes

Lanny Dale Larson

October 31, 1943 - October 26, 2023