Gerald Martin Van Lanen

Gerald Martin Van Lanen, known to his friends as Jerry, passed away on October 21, 2024 while at a church celebration in Oklahoma City, at the age of 79. The family is deeply saddened by this loss. Jerry was born on May 17, 1945 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He grew up in a large family of 15 children where he learned his family’s faith and love of the outdoors. 

Jerry served our country in both the Marine Corps and Reserves and earned the rank of corporal in Vietnam. 

Jerry is survived and missed by his loving wife, Beth, of 29 years. 

Jerry enjoyed his five children and their families: Marty Van Lanen, Sarah (Patrick) Cook, Rebecca (Tim) Broeckert, Rachel (Aaron) Lueders, and Elizabeth (Steve) Miller and 13 grandchildren. 

He is survived by his siblings: Don, Janice (Kobes), Jim, Dan, Tom, Dale, Lyle, Allen, Theresa Miller, Roy, Carol (Riemer), Julie (Rupiper), Michael, and countless nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Harvey, his mother, Vernona, his sister, Kathy and his two sisters-in-law, Peg and Pat. He is survived by his siblings: Don, Janice (Kobes), Jim, Dan, Tom, Dale, Lyle, Allen, Theresa Miller, Roy, Carol (Riemer), Julie (Rupiper), Michael, and countless nieces and nephews.

Jerry is remembered as a wonderful storyteller and his favorites were stories about his childhood, mostly outlandish ones involving his brothers. A favorite childhood story he told was when he and his brother Dale went fishing and were so “hungry” that to get the attention of some cute girls and the girls’ candy bars, Jerry bit the head off a fish. 

Before he was honorably discharged, he studied at St. Norbert’s College and then at the University of Detroit earning his master’s degree in mechanical engineering. Jerry worked for many years as a mechanical engineer at Paper Converting Company in Green Bay, Wisconsin followed by Moore Response Graphics where he worked with his brother Dale. He was honored with multiple awards for web press design and machine design. 

When Jerry moved to Virginia, he settled down on his 50 acre country property in the town of Cana, a special place in the mountains of Virginia that he had always dreamed of. He loved spending time outside, working his land with Beth and his two cats by his side, and was always busy with new projects like planting fruit trees, raising chickens, or tending to honey bees. He also enjoyed fishing, playing cards, cribbage, Backgammon, Sequence, and traveling to visit his children, grandchildren and siblings. 

Some of his greatest joy and lifelong friendships came from his faith and the church he and Beth attended every Saturday, as well as annual religious celebrations that created many memories for them. 

Memories of Jerry will carry on with the retelling of his many stories that are sure to include his belly laugh and infamous “Waah” exclamation. Jerry would insist that we should know God and follow His will. He would encourage us to hold close to our families and serve our church family. 

A private Veteran’s memorial service will take place at Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin.