George Lansing

Lansing, George Michael 71, of Bloomington, MN, loving husband, father, brother, and grandfather, passed away on November 12, 2016. Born on February 10, 1945 to George Frank Lansing and Rosella Chester in Minneapolis, MN. Survived by his wife Darlene, his brother Jay Lansing Jean, his son Michael Lansing Nina Clark, his daughter Jill Lucken Kevin, and his grandchildren David Edsen and Chloe Edsen. A second-generation North-sider, he graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1963, where he was a co-captain and all-city in football, as well as student council vice president. He started at defensive tackle on the first national championship football team at NDSU in 1965 and graduated in 1968 - the first in the family to earn a college degree. He married Darlene Vinje on February 28, 1970. His career as a teacher in the Minneapolis Public Schools -- inspired by his own teachers, Don Swanson and George Wemeier -- began the same year and lasted until his early retirement in 1997. He taught physical education and health at Nokomis, Standish, Ericsson, and the School of Extended Learning and was an assistant coach on Washburn's 1977 state championship football team. In 1997, he was the district's nominee for Minnesota Teacher of the Year. He touched the lives of hundreds of kids, and especially loved to work with students who came from disadvantaged backgrounds like his own. George dedicated himself not only to his students, but also to his family. Despite his success, he gave up coaching to spend more time with his own kids, whom he showered with love, attention, wisdom, and stories. George enjoyed travel, good food, hunting, clays shooting, and -- most of all -- spending time with his wife, brother, children, and grandchildren, who loved him as fiercely as he loved them. His larger-than-life personality meant that people always opened up to him. He enjoyed a wide circle of close friends wherever he went. George endured diverse illnesses for over twenty years and despite his suffering, made the most of life. The family thanks the staff at Presbyterian Homes-Bloomington and Fairview Hospice for providing excellent care in his final days. The memorial service with fellowship will be held Saturday, December 3 from 1PM-2:30PM at Heritage Lutheran Church, 13401 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd., Apple Valley, MN. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Don Swanson Scholarship Fund at the Patrick Henry High School Foundation in his honor.