Henry “Lanny” Sanken

Obituary

Henry “Lanny” Sanken was born on April 8, 1942, in Hutchinson, Minnesota. He was the son of Henry and Lydia (Homan) Sanken. Lanny was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in his faith as a youth, both at St. John’s Church in Hassan Valley Township, rural Biscay, Minnesota. He received his education in Hutchinson and was a graduate of the Hutchinson High School Class of 1960. Lanny furthered his education at Brown Institute of Broadcasting receiving his Associates Degree in electronics.

Lanny entered active military service in the United States Air Force on January 5, 1962, and served his country as a Bomb Navigation System Mechanic. He received an Honorable Discharge on December 15, 1965, at Lincoln Air Force Base, Nebraska, and achieved the rank of Airman First Class.

On June 17,1962, Lanny was united in marriage to Kay Tracy at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. This marriage was blessed with four children, Tracy, Tammy, Todd, and Teri. Lanny and Kay made their home in Hutchinson. They shared 63 years of marriage.

Lanny was employed at 3M in Hutchinson as an Electronic Technician. He retired on January 1, 1996. Throughout his working years, Lanny also farmed his 40 acres of the Sanken Century Farm with the help of his wife and kids. Lanny was a member of the Hutchinson American Legion Post #96, the John Deere Two Cylinder club, the Cedar Mills Rod and Gun Club, Gopher Campfire, the Minnesota Weapons Collector Association, and the American Trap Association.

Lanny loved trap and skeet shooting along with fishing, hunting, and always having some kind of project going in his shop. He was an avid card player who also found joy in auctions, garage sales, gun shows, tractors, and talking about farming. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family, grandchildren and friends.

Lanny passed away on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, at the age of 83 years.

Blessed be his memory.

Lanny is survived by his:
Wife, Kay Sanken of Hutchinson, MN;
Daughters, Tracy Davenport and her husband, Lyle of Hutchinson, MN,
Tammy Kirchhoff and her husband, Rodney of Hutchinson, MN,
Teri McBride and her husband, Mike of Hutchinson, MN;
Son, Todd Sanken of Pittsville WI and his partner Lisa McKimm of Woodbury, MN,
Grandchildren, Max (Emily) Blom, Amy (Matt) Richardson, Ally Kurth, Jenna (Adam) Sturgis, Joe McBride, Alex McBride, Lydia Sanken and her partner Klint Reinhardt;
Great-grandchildren, Emma and Peyton Richardson, Julia, Noah and Sylvie Blom, Lexy and Jameson Kurth, and Elliot Sturgis;
Many other relatives and friends.

Lanny is preceded in death by his Parents, Henry and Lydia Sanken; Grandparents; Aunts and Uncles; Daughter-in-law, Jodie Sanken; and Brother in infancy.