“… now stop this foolishness and go do something useful…”

The Lane family mourns the passing of their strong and dedicated mother, Arlene Frances Rens Lane, on Tuesday, October 22, 2013, at age 85. Mom died peacefully surrounded by family and friends.

Mom was born on November 9,1927, in Lincoln Park, Michigan, the youngest child of Cornelis Johannes Rens and Hendrina Geerlings Rens, who immigrated from Holland in 1911. When she was five years old, the family moved to Clinton, Missouri, where mom enjoyed a wonderful childhood. She graduated from Clinton High School in 1945. She married Edgar Dale Lane in 1946. They divorced in 1980.

Mom was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Joe, two grandchildren, Elizabeth DeNicola and Alan Joseph Lane, a son-in-law Ken Kathrineberg, two sisters, Nellie Riead and Dena Riead, and two brothers, John Rens and Jim Rens.

She is survived by (oh boy!) her remaining 15 children, Teresa Weaver, Marcia Kenley, Ed Lane, John and his wife Diane Lane, Dana Pflumm, Jim and his wife Kathy Lane, Marilyn Figuieras, Barb Kathrineberg, Tom Lane, Eloise and her husband Ed Waller, Chris and his wife Rhonda Lane, Jeff and his wife An Lane, Ellen Haney, Jenny and her husband Bruce Focht, and Scott and his wife Julie Lane. Mom is also survived by 25 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Upon settling in Shawnee, our family attended St. Joseph Catholic Church. Mom enjoyed her many friendships, especially the ladies of the Shrove Tuesday luncheon. After her youngest children went to school she worked as office manager for Barker, Glynn and Renz, a candy broker. Upon retiring, she volunteered at the Johnson County Library and was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Overland Park, Kansas.

In 2002, Mom moved back to her hometown of Clinton, Missouri, and spent the last 11 years creating new friendships and re-establishing old ones. She was a docent and a genealogical researcher at the Henry County Museum, a member of the Henry County Library Book Club, and attended Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Mom had a keen intellect and an abiding faith. She loved to read, was an avid gardener, loved the arts, played a mean game of Scrabble, and did the NY Times Crossword Puzzle in pen. She enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She instilled in her children a strong work ethic, a sense of responsibility and generosity and a love for music and books. A devoted mother, her greatest accomplishment was her children whom she loved dearly.

The Lane family wishes to thank all those who helped Mom through her final journey, including the dedicated doctors, nurses and health care professionals at St. Luke’s Hospital, and Hospice of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas.

Visitations and Funeral Service

Visitations will be from 2:00-5:00 p.m., Sunday, October 27, 2013, at Amos Family Funeral Home; and an additional visitation from 9:30-10:15 a.m., Monday, October 28, 2013, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Shawnee, Kansas. Funeral service will follow visitation at 10:30 a.m., at the church; burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Shawnee, Kansas.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of the following:

Holy Family House, Kansas City, Missouri

Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, Overland Park, Kansas

The Henry County Museum, Clinton, Missouri

The Samaritan Center, Clinton, Missouri