Obituary of Helen Lanning

Helen was born in Downers Grove, IL where she lived for 49 years. She made many life long friends through her activities and volunteerism in the community, schools and church. Helen worked as a secretary for the Downers Grove and LaGrange School Districts. In 1976 she moved to San Diego where she worked for the Lemon Grove School District and where she met and married George. Retiring early to enjoy the good life, Helen and George moved to Olympia where they have lived happily for the past 21 years.Helen is survived by her beloved husband of 30 years, George Lanning; children, Judi (Ken) Koehn of Denver, CO, Bill (Pat) Monson of Las Vegas, NV, and Dan (Margaret) Monson of Bastrop, LA; four grandchildren; sisters, Dorothy (Bud) Schulz and Shirley (Chet) Reardon; numerous nieces and nephews; and her extended family of children, Karen Bjornstad, Chris Lanning, Steve Lanning, Susan Fox and 11 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Gertrude and Glidden (Curly) Reeve; her brother, Tom Reeve; and her ex-husband Charles Monson, to whom she was married for 28 years and who remained a friend until his death in 1996. Helen will be remembered as a happy, positive, outgoing person who strove to always do her best. She loved to sing and was a dedicated member of the choir of the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation (OUUC). She volunteered for her church, and was an advocate for helping the homeless through their program Out of the Woods and, prior to her illness, was active in the Newcomer’ Club. Above all, Helen was devoted to her family. Helen was well loved by her family and friends and will be greatly missed. The family invites donations to the Out of the Woods program at OUUC, www.ouuc/outofthewoods/donate.html You may leave memories and condolences for the family by clicking on “View Guestbook” below.