Edgar Van Laningham Obituary
Celebrating the Life of Edgar "E.L." Van Laningham 1929 – 2024 E.L. Van Laningham, age 94, passed away August 12, 2024, in Topeka, KS. He was born on December 27, 1929, in Arkansas City, KS, and grew up in Winfield, KS. He graduated from Winfield HS in 1947. He and his brother "Bud" were business partners of Van's Produce until the Korean War where he volunteered for the US Marine Corp in 1950. He served as an infantry squad leader in Korea from 1951-1952. Upon honorable discharge from active duty, he returned to Winfield and attended St. John's College where he met and married Lois Zehnder in 1955. They were married for 36 years and had four children, Todd, Jill, Chis, and Kirk. He was also survived by son-in-law, Don Perry and daughter-in-law, Norika Karashima-Van Laningham. He was a proud grandfather to Kelly Lancaster and Drew Perry. He worked for Blue Cross/Blue Shield as a sales manager and retired after 25 years. He was known to everyone there as "Van" and was dearly loved and respected as a leader and co-worker. Before retirement and after he held significant roles in the Lutheran church; he was on the Board of Directors for the KS district, he served as a speaker at many congregations and district events, he was a Minister of Spiritual Gifts for Trinity Lutheran in Mission, KS, he worked for Lutheran Social Services of Texas and in later retirement he served as a professional fundraising consultant. As a devout Christian E.L.'s faith guided him throughout his life; influencing his actions and interactions with others as a caring and warm person. He was known for his warmth and genuine interest in others and made everyone feel they were the only one in the room. His intelligence and love for learning were matched by his passion for showing others the importance of listening.
In 1998, he married Dolores "Babe" Newton Zehnder in Denver, CO where they resided until 2022 before relocating to Topeka, KS. Through this marriage he "informally" adopted and loved 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. E. L. and Babe's deep love for one another made everyone around them smile and they were grateful to God for their 26 wonderful years together. E.L. enjoyed many hobbies; croquet, walking, reading, golfing, traveling, dancing, old movies, musicals, playing piano for not only family events but also at various retirement communities. One of his proudest moments was when he was honored to be on the first Kansas Honor Flight for Korean War veterans. Preceded in death are his son Todd, parents Charlotte and Edgar, brother John, sister Gerry, nephew Eric, niece Kristi and great nephew Will.
A service to honor his life will be held October 26, at Highland Cemetery in Winfield, KS at 11AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the MS Society or the American Cancer Society.
He will be greatly missed but fondly remembered for his kindness, generosity, warm smith, "corny" humor, and unwavering faith.
