J. Lanny Wiens

J. Lanny Wiens of Norman passed at the age of 81 on October 23, 2018. He was born to Henry and Hannah (Rusch) Wiens on January 17, 1937 in Enid, Oklahoma, and grew up in Drummond, Oklahoma.

Lanny started a business in Enid selling mobile homes in the early 1960s. It eventually grew to a business with locations in three states. He had a talent for finding the potential in people and he truly cared for his employees and their families. He was a founder of the National Manufactured Housing Association, serving as their president, and testifying before Congress on behalf of the industry. He also founded the Oklahoma Manufactured Housing Association, leading the organization for many years.

Lanny had a personality that was larger than life. He would walk into a room and immediately own it, with everyone gravitating towards him for a lively and fun conversation or a really good joke. Lanny had a great sense of humor and the most positive attitude. He really was the life of the party!

Lanny loved traveling the world with the love of his life, Anne. Theirs was truly a love story for the ages, and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on December 14th of last year. Lanny had many wide and varied interests. He loved cars and would often suggest going for a long drive. Lanny had his pilot’s license and he owned a boat on Grand Lakewhere he and Anne spent many weekends! They were members of the Sundowners Club at the State Fair. His love of cooking was enjoyed by many friends and family as he created new recipes and even won a cooking competition. Lanny played baseball in college, and subsequently enjoyed watching it as an adult. He was also an avid OU fan and was a proud Mason and Shriner.
Lanny had a beautiful singing voice and frequently sang solos in the church choir at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church. He loved the Lord and his family more than anything and could always be counted on whenever there was a need. His four children grew up with the best dad in the world, and will miss him more than tongue can tell.

Lanny was preceded in death by his parents, Hank and Hannah Wiens. He is survived by: wife Anne (Baker) Wiens; sons Todd Wiens and wife Judy of Norman and Guy Chase Wiens and Jane Pulse of Norman; daughters Robin Wiens and husband Russ McReynolds of Norman and Melanie Craddock of Bixby; brothers Terry Wiens and wife Jo of Oklahoma City and Joel Wiens of Cheyenne, Wyoming; sister Marlene Mee of Oklahoma City; grandchildren Adrienne Wiens, Christopher Wiens, Julianna Wiens, and Will Craddock; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Lanny’s family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Tom Merrill, the nurses and staff at Grace Living Center, and the nurses of Good Shepherd Hospice for their excellent care during the waning days of Lanny’s life.

Memorial contributions in Lanny’s name may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children (www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/shc/donate).

Lanny’s family will be present to receive friends in the funeral home’s downstairs event center from 3:00-5:00pm on Sunday, October 28th. Services to celebrate Lanny’s life are scheduled for 2:00pm on Monday, October 29th at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church (419 S. University Blvd, Norman) with burial following at Warren Cemetery in Norman.

Please share condolences and memories of Lanny at www.tribute.care so that they may be included in a book for the family.