Lanny Coufal

Lanny Emil Coufal was born on March 3, 1943 in Schuyler, Nebraska to Emil and Marcella (Teply) Coufal. He grew up in Fremont, Nebraska where he attended Linden Elementary School and Fremont Jr and Sr High Schools graduating in 1961 and attended classes at Midland College in Fremont. As a young boy, Lanny enjoyed woodworking and radio controlled airplanes. Lanny worked at the Fremont Theaters during high school and met Richard and Betty Roeder and they have remain friends ever since. Lanny married Donna Mintken on June 6, 1964 and they were blessed with a son Michael. Lanny married Sherry Jo Wendt on April 2, 1977 in Omaha, Nebraska and they were blessed with a son E. Jason. Lanny and Sherry Jo renewed their vows on Palm Island while they were on a Windjammer sailboat cruise in 1988. They have made their home on their acreage outside of Omaha. Lanny was active in Toastmasters in Fremont, and made many friends with this group. He was an avid speaker and spoke to numerous groups over the years. Lanny worked at KHUB Radio Station in Fremont as a radio announcer and in advertising sales. Lanny’s radio name was “Lanny Turner” and to this day people still remember him and his morning shows. Lanny spent 11 years with Xerox Corporation where he held sales positions in the Copier and Facsimile Divisions. He received numerous Par Club Sales awards and trips while his tenure with Xerox. In 1979, Lanny joined RiteWay Oil and Gas. After 30 years of service, Lanny retired from RiteWay on August 1, 2008. Lanny enjoyed woodworking, and no project was too big or small for him. He also had a tremendous love for animals which led him and Sherry Jo to own and operate the Sunset Pet Motel. Lanny loved to travel, but found the island of Jamaica his favorite island. He always greeted the Jamaicans by saying, “It’s great to come home!” Many friends around the world were made during the trips, and Lanny always had great stories to tell from each trip. Lanny passed away on Sunday, February 27, 2011 at the Hospice House in Omaha, Nebraska with his family at his side at the age of 67 years, 11 months and 24 days. He was preceded in death by his parents Emil and Marcella and a niece Shawna Nichols. Lanny is survived by his wife Sherry Jo; sons Michael of Fremont and E. Jason and his fiancé Victoria Infante of Omaha; granddaughter Erin; sisters and brothers-in-law Judy and Mike Fagen of Elkhorn and Janie and Steve Ziegler of Fremont.