Lillian Lane

Funeral services for Lillian Lane were held on Friday, April 19, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Congregational Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Tim Voigt officiating. Jaymee Levonder gave the eulogy.

Music was provided by Jeanie Kotrba and De-Nalda Fortuna, pianists, and Geoff Smith, soloist. Joan Shoemaker was in charge of registration.

Casket bearers were Sandy Simmons, Robert Hansen, Jaymee Levonder, Kris Cottrell, Brady Lane, Tiffaney Lane, Douglas Lane, and Madyson Berendes. Honorary casket bearers were the The Iona Friendly Neighbors Club and the Lions Club.

Interment was in the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Lillian Lovaine Lane was born to Joseph and Mamie (Vomacka) Hlavka on Halloween 1928. She was the second oldest of four children. Lillian was raised on the Hlavka farm two miles east of Gregory. Lillian learned English when attending first grade. Czech was her first language. She attended high school in Gregory.

Lillian took a job with Hogrefe Clothing Store. While working at Hogrefe’s a tall dark-haired man with a cowboy hat came into the store to buy some clothes after returning to Iona from WWII. On April 19, 1948, Doug proposed, and they were married on April 19, 1949. At that time, they moved into the Harmacek place near Iona. They ran the Iona store and post office. They started farming with Doug’s parents Ray and Sophie Lane. Farming is where it was for this couple so they bought the King place just about three miles west of Iona. They enjoyed western movies and dancing. Nine years later came their daughter Debbie Ann. She was just perfect in their eyes, but she needed a little brother who came just three years later. Lowell Lee was her baby brother. Both children went to the Iona School, learned a bit about farming life and enjoyed family and friends.

In 1970 the family moved to Dallas, SD, and Lillian took a position at the Gregory Hospital where she worked for 32 years. Lillian loved to bake hot cross buns, and her kolaches were also a favorite in the community. She stayed active in the Lion’s Club, earning the Melvin Jones award (the highest form of recognition conferred by the foundation). Lillian was also a charter member of the Friendly Neighbors Club and the church.

Lillian had a giving heart - she donated over five gallons of blood throughout her life. Lillian loved her companion that her grandchildren gifted her, a little rat terrier named Tina.

Lillian passed away on April 14, 2024, at the age of 95. Lillian is survived by her children Debbie and Ron Hansen and Lowell and Shelly Day Lane; 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Lorraine Hlavka and Imogene Mendlik; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and close friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband Douglas Lane; siblings Edward Hlavka, Emil Hlavka, and Ann Shelton; brother-in-law Paul Shelton; sister-in-law Linda Lynaugh; and brothers-in-law Paul Lane and Robert Mendlik.