Vaden I. Lane

Vaden I. Lane

Vaden I. Lane was born on May 17, 1938, to Andrew and Adeline Lane. He passed

away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family on July 5, 2026 in Lincoln,

Nebraska.

Vaden was born and raised in Guide Rock, Nebraska. He graduated from Guide

Rock High School in 1955. As the sixth of eight children, he learned early the

values of hard work, deep faith, and devotion to family which are values that

guided his life throughout his years. He often spoke fondly of his childhood

memories of fishing adventures, hard work and ending the days with his siblings

singing around the piano as his mother played hymns.

Following graduation, Vaden served his country in the United States Air Force from

1957 to 1961. Upon returning home to Guide Rock after his military service, he

met the love of his life, Mary Ann Wulf. The two were united in marriage on

August 29, 1964, and together they built a loving home and life centered on faith,

family, and service. To this marriage were born three daughters: Kristi, Terri and

Marci.

Vaden had a passion for helping and developing others which led him to a career

in education. He started out as a history teacher in Columbus, Nebraska.

Wanting to be closer to family, he continued his career in Blue Hill, Nebraska.

After one year as Assistant Principal he was offered the position of Superintendent

of Schools, a role he faithfully served for 31 years. Vaden loved being around

students and educators, and he hoped throughout his career that he had made a

positive difference in the lives of those he served.

When Vaden wasn’t at school you could usually find him enjoying his other

“career” which was raising cattle and working on his farm. The farm was a place

where some of his family’s most treasured memories were made. It was where his

daughters learned to drive, discovered the value of hard work, and listened to their

dad sing along to his favorite old tunes as he worked. It was also a place where

Vaden spent countless hours with his nephews, Jerry and Mark Hartman, creating

lasting memories by simply working side by side.

His Christian faith was a cornerstone of his life. A devoted member of St. Paul

Lutheran Church, Vaden filled a number of roles in the church over the years,

including serving on the church council. His heart for service carried over to his

community as he was a local EMT for the Blue Hill Ambulance squad, participated

on the Adams County Head Start Board, served the Webster County Food Bank

and volunteered many years delivering Meals on Wheels. He was always willing to

lend a helping hand to neighbors and friends. Following snowstorms, it was not

uncommon to see Vaden pushing his snow blower up and down Saline Street,

clearing driveways for neighbors who were unable to do so themselves.

Above all else, Vaden’s greatest love was his family. He deeply cherished his wife,

Mary Ann, whom he lost in 2022. He was a proud and loving father, grandfather,

and great grandfather, and nothing brought him more joy than time spent with

family.

Vaden is survived by his daughters, Kristi Lane, Terri (Sean) Lane, and Marci (Todd)

Whipple; grandchildren, Jett Burrell, Kalynn Burrell, Kailey (Lowell) Heuertz,

Kendyl (Brook) Boehmer, Brett Heuertz, Beau Heuertz, Lane (Marisa) Whipple, Luke

Whipple and Blake (Paige) Whipple; Step grandchildren Liam McCann, Carrick

McCann and Meagan McCann; great-granddaughter Laney Boehmer and a great grandson

expected to arrive in a few weeks. He is also survived by sister

Margaret (Gerald) Hartman, along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann Lane; his parents, Andrew and

Adeline Lane, parents-in-law Roger and Hattie Wulf; siblings Charlotte (Jim)

Benefiel, Daryl (Donna) Lane, Hope (Don) Michael, Ila (Wally) Brown, Alice (Bill)

Wells, and Cynthia (Bob) Wilson; and in-laws Helen (Don) Gebers and Rich (Gloria)

Wulf.

A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, July 11th at 11 AM at St. Paul

Lutheran Church, Blue Hill, NE with Pastor Steve Lund officiating, followed by lunch at the church. Burial with military

honors will be at Maple Grove Cemetery south of Guide Rock, NE at 2:30 PM.

Family will be present for visitation on Friday from 4-6 PM, at Merten-Butler

Mortuary in Blue Hill. Memorials can be left to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Blue

Hill. The service will be live streamed on Merten-Butler Mortuary’s website.  To view the service go to Vaden’s obituary and click on the play button towards the bottom of the page.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mertenbutlermortuary.com.  Merten-Butler Mortuary, Blue Hill, Nebraska is serving the family.

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