Karin Louise Laneman

Karin Louise Laneman of Austin, Texas was taken into God's eternal embrace on July 2, 2025, after a long and valiant battle with multiple sclerosis. She was born to Reverend William Petersen and Mrs. Gertrude Petersen in Superior, Nebraska on September 22, 1943. A lifelong Lutheran, she was baptized on October 3, 1943. She grew up in Bryan, Texas, graduating from Stephen F. Austin High School on May 29, 1961, and then moved to St. Louis to attend the Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing where she graduated as a Registered Nurse on September 6, 1964. While studying in St. Louis, she met the love of her life, Gary Laneman, whom she married on November 28, 1964, beginning a wedded life which lasted 50 years. They moved to Illinois where their two children Melissa Marie and Mark William were born, before moving to Austin, Texas in 1969. They became members of Redeemer Lutheran Church, where she was very active in many of the congregation's ministries including the Chancel Choir, Lutheran Women Missionary League and the Dorcas Society.



Karin enjoyed her career as a nurse, working night shifts with labor and delivery at Breckenridge Hospital and as an in-home care nurse before working at Seton Hospital in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where she helped save the lives of many premature babies. In 1992 she transferred from the NICU to Seton's Infection Control, where she worked until she retired in 2000.



Afterwards she and Gary spent their retired years exploring Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America while also volunteering with the Lutheran Laymen's League and Seton Hospital.

Karin always looked forward to watching sports with Gary or friends whether it was on TV or at a stadium; although she probably cherished her time going to see the San Antonio Spurs with Gary the most. She also spent lots of time enjoying the company of family and friends, including members of their bridge club and residents of the Buckner Villas retirement community.



She was preceded in death by her sister Mary Tilton, her parents Rev. William and Gertrude Petersen, and her loving husband Gary. She was survived by her children Melissa Laneman (John Ney) and Mark (Aspen) Laneman, as well as four granddaughters, Lydia and Willa Ney and Emma and Martha Laneman and nieces Heather Laneman and Elizabeth White.



The family would like to express our deep gratitude to the nursing assistants and nurses at the Buckner Meadows who lovingly cared for her and looked after her needs during her time there; to Hospice Austin staff who provided in-depth comfort and care; and to Laura Dinda and Ann Romans who provided additional love and friendship to Karin during her time in assisted living and skilled nursing.



In lieu of flowers, please donate to Redeemer Lutheran Church of Austin, Texas, Hospice Austin or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.



A service to honor and celebrate Karin's life will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church (1500 W. Anderson Ln, Austin 78757) on July 14th at 10 am followed by a commitment service at Cook Walden Capital Parks (14501 N IH35 78660) at 1 pm.