Title: Donald G. Lanes
Dates: 1941-2008
Collection Number: MSS 11105
Quantity: 1 foot
Abstract: Papers contain printed material, publications, Navy papers, material on the USS LST 473 (on which Lanes served in World War II), and photographs. Several photographs and documents in the collection were digitized and returned to the donor.
Provenance: Ruth Rutten, Donald Lanes’ daughter, donated the papers to the State Historical Society of North Dakota on November 28, 2011.
Property rights: The State Historical Society of North Dakota owns the property rights to this collection.
Copyrights: Copyrights to this collection remain with the donor, publisher, author, or author's heirs. Researchers should consult the 1976 Copyright Act, Public Law 94-553, Title 17, U.S. Code or an archivist at this repository if clarification of copyright requirements is needed.
Access: This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Citation: Researchers are requested to cite the collection title, collection number, and the State Historical Society of North Dakota in all footnote and bibliographic references.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
The following is from Donald Lanes’ obituary in the Grand Forks Herald on February 12, 2008.
He was born in Grafton, ND on May 11, 1921 to Carl and Mary Lanes. After graduating from high school in Grafton, he went to California to work in the Lockheed airplane factory. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1942 and served in the South Pacific on LST 473 for the duration of World War II. In the mid-90’s he was able to reconnect with surviving shipmates and enjoyed email contact and visiting with them in his later years. After discharge from the Navy, he attended North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton. Don spent all of his adult life working in one phase or another of the electrical industry, from Master Electrician, wireman, distribution, design, apparatus salesman to teacher and inspector.
Don was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church for over 50 years, as well as a long time member of the DAV/VFT and the Sons of Norway. He was a life member of the American Legion. He was an avid fisherman and golfer. For many years he held the #1 season ticket to the Ray Richards Golf Course. As a member of the New Voice Club (a laryngectomy support group), he was an inspiration to many who struggled to relearn speech after a laryngectomy.
Don was proud to be the patriarch of a large and loving family. He married Evelyn Svaren on May 26, 1948 and is survived by her and their four children Phyllis Johnson, Severn, MD, Audrey Arguijo (Pete), Pleasanton, TX, Ruth Rutten (Leo), Harvey, ND, and Richard Lanes (Tami), Grand Forks, 13 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his sister, Thelma Soderstrom, and 3 brothers Harris, Clifford and Carl Jr.
INVENTORY
Box 1:
1 Correspondence, Johnnie Hutchins and LST 473, 2001 and 2003 (includes clippings,
photographs moved to Box 2)
2 LST 473 scrapbook, 1943-2000
3 LST 473 material, 1943-2001
4 U.S. LST Association, 1990s-2005
5 “A Compendium on the LST,” Robert J. Alferi, 1997
6 SS John W. Brown, 2001
7 News clippings, 1941-2000
8 Publications, 1944-2001
9 LST Scuttlebutt (periodical), 2001, 2006, 2008
10 Post cards and photos printed on computer, photograph 11105-52
Box 2:
Photographs 11105-01 – 11105-51
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