Lanita J. Usher

LaNita Jean Usher was born June 13, 1945 to Donald and Ardis (Reinholdt) Goltz at the community hospital in Tyler, Minnesota. She spent her childhood years in Balaton, Minnesota where she attended school and graduated from Balaton High School with the class of 1963. Following graduation, she moved to the Twin Cities area where she attended the College of Medical Technology of Minneapolis graduating with a degree in X-ray Technology. It was during this time that she met her future husband, Christian Usher. The couple was united in marriage on June 28, 1964 at St. Peter’s Church in Balaton. They made the move to Deer Lodge, Montana where they lived and worked for a few years. In 1967, they moved to Luverne, Minnesota where they made their home and raised their family. LaNita held several positions in the area of office administration in Luverne, which included time at the Announcer, Luverne Hospital, Tri-State Hospital in Valley Springs, South Dakota, Walnut Grove 4X4 Feed, Lamberts Building Supply, Luverne Chamber of Commerce, and AgriEnergy, which later became GEVO. In November 2012 she was diagnosed with early stage endometrial cancer. She successfully underwent surgery on December 19, 2012 and on Friday, December 21, 2012, LaNita unexpectedly passed away peacefully in her home at the age of 67 years, 6 months and 8 days.

LaNita was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne where she previously sang in the church choir and served on the youth league council. Most recently she served on the little Lambs preschool board, participated in many church fund drives, and made baptismal banners and name tags for the newest members of the congregation. She enjoyed many hobbies such as quilting, sewing, embroidery, antiquing, and reading. She was active in several card clubs and the group “Mah Jongg Mavens”. She loved to travel or spend time simply relaxing at the cabin on Lake Sarah where she liked being out on the water, boating and fishing. She especially enjoyed spending time with friends, family, and her cat, Bo.

LaNita is lovingly remembered by her children, Rick Usher of Elk River, Minnesota and Robyn Vosejpka and her husband Allen of Champlin, Minnesota; grandchildren, Rachael Vosejpka, Scott Usher, and Eric Usher; great-grandchild, Riley Berndt; and her brothers, Darwin Goltz of Denver, Colorado and Dennis Goltz and his wife Stephanie of Platsmouth, Nebraska. She was preceded in death by her husband, Chris; and her parents.