Harlan J. Lanz

Harlan J. Lanz, age 72, of North Mankato, died on February 2, 2020 at his home on the family farm, surrounded by his family.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 7, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mankato, MN.  Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Pilgrim’s Rest Cemetery.   

Harlan was born on August 6, 1947 in Mankato to Harold and Evelyn (Gosch) Lanz.  He lived west of Minnesota Lake on a farm until age 3, then moved north of Nicollet for one year.  His family moved back to the family farm in 1951.  Harlan attended District 9 country school, ½ mile from home across from the Gintner farm through the 4^th grade.  Harlan then attended North Mankato Junior High from 7-8^th grade.  He graduated from Mankato West High School in 1965.  Harlan attended Mankato Technical for one year for machinist.

Harlan worked at the Nicollet Creamery when he was 16 for 1 ½ years.  He joined the Army Reserves in 1966 for six years.  Harlan worked at Kato Engineering from 1965-1972. He then worked for Chicago N.W. Railroad for 16 years.  He was a part time machinist at APT until 1992 when he and his son, Chad started L&L Machine.  Harlan’s proudest accomplishments were serving on the BENCO board of director’s for 13 years and being a lifelong farmer.   

Harlan was united in marriage to Joan Marie Oelke on January 13, 1968.  They lived in Mankato for five years. Harlan and Joan moved back to the family farm in 1973 and purchased it in 1977.  They were blessed with three children, Chad, Nicole, and Michele, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. 

Harlan is survived by his wife, Joan; children, Chad (April) Lanz, Nicole (Steve) Slechta, and Michele Lanz; grandchildren, Elizabeth, Jay (gone, but never forgotten), Eric, Taylor, Jolee, Owen, Addison, Olivia, and Luke; great-grandson, Cody; sister, Shirley Hanson; and two brothers, Harold Jr. and Steven Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Jay Meixner-Lanz; sister, Barbara Ann; and brother, Bernard Lanz.