Lane B. Ruehlen

Lane B. Ruehlen, 96, of Topeka, passed away on Saturday, June 11, 2016, at Brewster Place.

He was born April 12, 1920 in Burdett, Kansas, the fourth of ten children born to Forest W. and Kathyrn M. (Bauer) Ruehlen. Surviving siblings include Marvin L. Ruehlen of Larned, KS and Phyllis Ruehlen Neidig of Derby, KS.

Lane graduated from high school in Larned where he was active in all sports and was an Eagle Scout. He attended Fort Hays Kansas State College until December, 1941 when he enlisted in the Army Aviation Cadet program and received his wings and commission in July, 1942. Lane was then assigned to the 36th Fighter Group and served in Puerto Rico and Europe. The Group joined the 9th Air Force in England prior to D-Day and moved to the Continent in August to support the Ground Forces until the war ended. He flew 71 combat missions in the P-47 Thunderbolt and received numerous decorations including thirteen Air Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross and both the Belgian and the French Croix de Guerre. He was separated from active duty in August, 1947 and remained in the Air Force Reserve until 1962 when he retired with the rank of Lt. Col.

Lane worked for the A.L. Duckwall Stores Co. for 33 years. He managed stores in Kansas and Colorado and was transferred to Topeka in 1972 where he served as District Manager until his retirement in 1984.

Lane was a member of Countryside United Methodist Church, American Legion Capitol Post No. 1, Mayetta Lodge #393 AF & AM, Scottish Rite, Arab Shrine Legion of Honor, Royal Order of Jesters Topeka Court #125, and the Military Officers Association of America, all in Topeka.

Lane married Bettye C. Burnette on May 4, 1947 in Panama City, FL. They were happily married for 45 years and were blessed with 4 children. Following his retirement, they traveled extensively for several years. She preceded him in death on December 25, 1992. Of the loving children of this marriage, Lisa M. Morris and Jay M. Ruehlen also preceded him in death. Surviving are one son, Barry L. (Donna) Ruehlen of St. James City, FL, one daughter, Carol L. (Greg) McCann of Aurora, CO, 8 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Lane later married Mary Zekoll Meenahan on May 14, 1994, in Overland Park, KS. He was a caring parent for Mary's 5 children, Nancy (John) Van Sooy of Leawood, KS, Kevin (Tami) Meenahan of Overland Park, KS, Susan (Phillip) Martin of Bonner Springs, KS, Michael (Julie) Meenahan of Olathe, KS, Patty (John) Miller of Flower Mound, TX, and her 9 grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221 SW Burlingame Rd, Topeka, KS 66611. The family will greet friends an hour prior to the service. Private inurnment will take place in Leavenworth National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association, Keith Worthington Chapter, 8340 Mission Road, Suite B4, Prairie Village, Kansas 66206, Countryside United Methodist Church, or the Arab Shrine Hospital Travel Fund.

To leave a special message for the family, please visit the guestbook below.