Gail Sams Lanning

Gail Sams Lanning, 84, June 17th 1941 - Oct 14th 2025
Gail was born in Falkville Alabama to Clarence and Vera (Turney) Sams. She graduated from Marshall County Highschool as Valedictorian in 1959. After graduation she took a job at Redstone Arsenal as a secretary.
In 1960 she met the love of her life, Gary Lanning, when he popped out from under a pier at Guntersville lake and invited himself to lunch. After a 6 week courtship he proposed and they moved to Wichita, Kansas where they were married on October 22th 1961.
After her marriage to Gary, she took a secretarial job at McConnell Airforce Base. They had 2 daughters, Linda and Pam. In 1972 she chose to pursue a career in early childhood education and opened Lanning's Learning tree in her home. She poured herself into her business and expanded multiple times to provide quality childcare to hundreds of families over 40 years.
Gail and Gary retired and closed their childcare centers in 2010 and traveled to where she could wear her Teva sandals year round. She enjoyed a seashell collecting hobby and great church family in South Padre Island during the winter months, and enjoyed scenic mountain views during the summer in Colorado.
She was preceeded in death by her parents and 5 siblings.
She is survived by her husband Gary Lanning, Daughters Linda Ohlemeier and Pam Holmes, eight grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Celebration of life will be held on October 25th at 10 :00 a.m. at Sunnyside Baptist Church located at 2618 E Morris St, Wichita, KS 67211