Memorial
Lanny DeRue Peterson, 73, of Hiawatha, died Thursday, September 14, 2017 at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha. Funeral Mass: 11:00 am Monday, September 18, 2017 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Vigil Service: 3:00 pm Sunday, September 17, 2017 at St. Pius X Catholic Church with visitation to follow until 7:30 pm. Officiating: Archbishop Michael Jackels, Father Donald Klein and Father Phil Thompson. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Lanny was born October 6, 1943, the son of Elmer and Elsie (Lundberg) Peterson in Cherokee, Iowa. He graduated from Rembrandt High School in 1961. Lanny then went on to graduate from Cornell College with a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree from Northeast Missouri State.
On July 5, 1975, he was married to Maxine Novak at St. Pius X Catholic Church. After her death in 1995, Lanny re-examined his spirituality and converted to Catholicism.
Lanny taught English at Linn-Mar High School for six years and Language Arts at Kennedy High School for seven years. He was an Insurance Agent for State Farm for over twenty-five years. Lanny was very involved in St. Pius X Catholic Church serving as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister and on the Liturgy Commission. In 2003, he was ordained as a Deacon with the Archdiocese of Dubuque, and served at St. Pius X Catholic Church.
Lanny umpired high school baseball for over thirty years. He was inducted into the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame. Lanny served as past president and board of directors for Iowa High School Athletic Association, as well as the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. He was a host “Dad” for the Cedar Rapids Minor League Baseball teams. Lanny was a member of the Cedar Rapids Kernel’s Advisory Board and a volunteer coordinator for the Host Family Program for Cedar Rapids Baseball Club. He was inducted into the Cedar Rapids Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.
Survivors include seven children, Jeffrey (Francesca) Novak of Lake Oswego, OR, Matthew (Jo Lilledahl) Novak, Thomas (Debi) Novak of Albuquerque, NM, Christine (Ron) Schantz, Susan Novak, Katherine (Bryce English) Novak, Robert (Kathy Kirschner) Novak of Omaha, NE; sixteen grandchildren, A.J. Novak, Kahle Novak, David (Amy Collett) Novak, James Novak, Sarah Novak, Austin Henderson, Ben Novak, Keith Novak, Nolan Novak, Ashley (Matt) Studt, Nick Everhart, Austin Schantz, Sydney Schantz, Aubrey (Stephen) Marek, Lauren (John) Hopkins, Jacob (Samantha) Pipkin; five great-grandchildren, Connor, Malena, Viola, Eisley, Rhemi; one brother, Larry D. Peterson; several cousins; and special friends, Tom Jarom, Fr. Don Klein, and Jan, Tim and Sarah Camp.
He was preceded in death by his wife and parents.
Lanny’s family would like to thank the many friends and neighbors for their acts of kindness shown to Lanny during his fight with multiple myeloma. Your prayers and support have been greatly appreciated.
Lanny lived a life dedicated to faith, family and baseball. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Pius X Catholic Church, Metro Catholic Outreach, or Cedar Rapids Kernel’s Foundation.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.