Ryan Hessels
Harold “Bud” James Lanning, age 80 of Angels Camp, California, died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on March 28th, 2026. Bud was born in Yankton, South Dakota on October 3, 1945, to parents James Frederick Lanning and Mary Ellen Lanning (Ryan). He graduated from Yankton High School, where he enjoyed football, wrestling, baseball, and various shenanigans with his classmates of 1964. He worked at Kapitan’s Grocery, a source for many future stories.
Bud attended Yankton College where he played baseball for the Greyhounds and the Jackrabbits, and continued to build topics for future stories while working for the Yankton Daily Press and Dakotan. He met Rosellen Doom at Mount Marty college where he was an altar boy for the convent, and they married in 1967. In 1970, he graduated with an education degree in history and physical education. They celebrated his graduation with a backpacking trip to Europe for the summer of 1971. Bud’s travels took him to Mexico, multiple adventures in Ireland, Belgium and many other countries in Europe.
Bud spent many years in Minnesota and Iowa where he loved to camp, canoe, fish, and spend time with his children and close friends. He married Elizabeth Shook and eventually moved to North Carolina, allowing him time to walk the beaches of the Crystal Coast and Outer Banks and visit numerous historical sites. After retirement, Bud moved to California to live near his children and grandchildren. Here he frequented the sequoias of Big Trees State Park and routinely enjoyed the beauty of Yosemite National Park. He was a constant presence at his grandchildren’s (River and Winter) soccer, basketball, and baseball games, and their many performances and awards ceremonies. He was a frequent volunteer, reading Dr. Seuss at preschool, playing the Easter Bunny, and was a panelist and judge at Avery Middle School where daughter Amy teaches history. He loved his Minnesota Twins and Vikings and, more recently, the San Francisco Giants, watching countless games with his son, Timothy, at his side.
Bud had a very extensive career in education where he touched the lives of many students and colleagues. Everywhere he worked, he made lasting friendships and held small audiences captive with his ability to tell stories. Upon his retirement in 2010, he would say, “40 years in education, 39 active, but the last one is for me.”
Bud’s first teaching job was at Central Catholic School in New Ulm. After the birth of his daughter, Amy, Bud enrolled at Mankato State University and received his Master’s in Educational Administration. The family moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota where he was principal at St. Anastasia for two years. After securing a position at John Adams Middle School in Mason City, Iowa, son Timothy was born. A move brought the family back to Minnesota where Bud was assistant principal at John Glenn Middle School followed by a move down the street to be principal at Weaver Elementary, where he created life-long friendships, and worked with the 'littles' for a time. After relocating to North Carolina, Bud finished his career as principal of Newport Middle School where he had the privilege of opening a brand new school to welcome students and an incredible staff, a highlight of his career.
Bud is survived by his children Amy Hessels (Ryan) and Timothy Lanning; grandchildren, River and Winter Hessels; former wife, Rosellen Krames; sisters Kathy Lanning and Phyllis Mark (Duane); brothers Lawrence, Thomas, and James Lanning; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews spread throughout the United States and Ireland.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents, James and Mary Lanning; siblings Carol, Joseph, John, Daniel, Linda (Gubbels), and Mary (McMillen); nephew John Gubbels and niece, Annie Lanning; and former wife Elizabeth Shook.
Bud’s wishes included the spreading of his ashes in the five states where he lived and in Ireland. As Amy and Tim make these arrangements, updates will be shared via his Facebook page and through direct contact with friends and family. Please join us for a celebration of his life. In lieu of flowers, consider sending a donation in Bud’s name to a charity or organization he held dear: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Colonial Williamsburg, or your local Humane Society or Hospice organization.
We will all miss our dad, GeePa, brother, uncle, colleague, and friend, but take comfort knowing our #1 storyteller is now sharing his stories and joining in good craic in the great beyond. “Be safe…Bye for now.”
Bud attended Yankton College where he played baseball for the Greyhounds and the Jackrabbits, and continued to build topics for future stories while working for the Yankton Daily Press and Dakotan. He met Rosellen Doom at Mount Marty college where he was an altar boy for the convent, and they married in 1967. In 1970, he graduated with an education degree in history and physical education. They celebrated his graduation with a backpacking trip to Europe for the summer of 1971. Bud’s travels took him to Mexico, multiple adventures in Ireland, Belgium and many other countries in Europe.
Bud spent many years in Minnesota and Iowa where he loved to camp, canoe, fish, and spend time with his children and close friends. He married Elizabeth Shook and eventually moved to North Carolina, allowing him time to walk the beaches of the Crystal Coast and Outer Banks and visit numerous historical sites. After retirement, Bud moved to California to live near his children and grandchildren. Here he frequented the sequoias of Big Trees State Park and routinely enjoyed the beauty of Yosemite National Park. He was a constant presence at his grandchildren’s (River and Winter) soccer, basketball, and baseball games, and their many performances and awards ceremonies. He was a frequent volunteer, reading Dr. Seuss at preschool, playing the Easter Bunny, and was a panelist and judge at Avery Middle School where daughter Amy teaches history. He loved his Minnesota Twins and Vikings and, more recently, the San Francisco Giants, watching countless games with his son, Timothy, at his side.
Bud had a very extensive career in education where he touched the lives of many students and colleagues. Everywhere he worked, he made lasting friendships and held small audiences captive with his ability to tell stories. Upon his retirement in 2010, he would say, “40 years in education, 39 active, but the last one is for me.”
Bud’s first teaching job was at Central Catholic School in New Ulm. After the birth of his daughter, Amy, Bud enrolled at Mankato State University and received his Master’s in Educational Administration. The family moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota where he was principal at St. Anastasia for two years. After securing a position at John Adams Middle School in Mason City, Iowa, son Timothy was born. A move brought the family back to Minnesota where Bud was assistant principal at John Glenn Middle School followed by a move down the street to be principal at Weaver Elementary, where he created life-long friendships, and worked with the 'littles' for a time. After relocating to North Carolina, Bud finished his career as principal of Newport Middle School where he had the privilege of opening a brand new school to welcome students and an incredible staff, a highlight of his career.
Bud is survived by his children Amy Hessels (Ryan) and Timothy Lanning; grandchildren, River and Winter Hessels; former wife, Rosellen Krames; sisters Kathy Lanning and Phyllis Mark (Duane); brothers Lawrence, Thomas, and James Lanning; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews spread throughout the United States and Ireland.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents, James and Mary Lanning; siblings Carol, Joseph, John, Daniel, Linda (Gubbels), and Mary (McMillen); nephew John Gubbels and niece, Annie Lanning; and former wife Elizabeth Shook.
Bud’s wishes included the spreading of his ashes in the five states where he lived and in Ireland. As Amy and Tim make these arrangements, updates will be shared via his Facebook page and through direct contact with friends and family. Please join us for a celebration of his life. In lieu of flowers, consider sending a donation in Bud’s name to a charity or organization he held dear: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Colonial Williamsburg, or your local Humane Society or Hospice organization.
We will all miss our dad, GeePa, brother, uncle, colleague, and friend, but take comfort knowing our #1 storyteller is now sharing his stories and joining in good craic in the great beyond. “Be safe…Bye for now.”
