Sylvia Octavia (Burns) Lanning was born on May 26, 1909, to Carl and Randina (Lindvik) Burns near Granite Falls, MN. She was baptized on June 7, 1909, by Rev. Mortenson at Saron Lutheran Church and confirmed on November 30, 1924. She attended 8 years of country school and then began working for others.
She married Selmer Lanning on August 26, 1931, and they farmed near Maynard until they purchased a farm and moved southeast of Dawson in 1942. They were the parents of three children: Gladys, Ferman, and Mavis. Upon retirement in 1960, they moved into Dawson. Sylvia worked for three years in the hot lunch program at school and then 7 years at the Dawson Drapery Shop. She then retired to quilting, visiting with family and friends, and helping wherever she could. She loved cooking and baking for others, as well as herself. Gardens and flowers were a delight to her to care for, and she loved farming and did whatever needed doing.
She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School, was always active in circles and Bible study, and loved Do-Day.
She was a very devoted wife of 61 1/2 years to Selmer and a very loving and encouraging mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She entered Johnson Memorial Home in March of 1995, and remained there until her death on Friday, May 19, 2000, almost reaching the age of 91.
Surviving are daughter, Gladys (Harold) Williams of Raymond and son, Ferman (Doris) Lanning of Plainview; 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Cora Thorstad of Granite Falls; and other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Selmer in 1992; daughter, Mavis in 1957; sister, Alice Leyse; and brother, Ted Burns.