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Tanner -- Wayne E. Tanner, 70, a resident of Albuquerque since 1968, lost his well fought battle with diabetes on December 2, 2001. Born December 11, 1930 in Archer, Iowa, he joined the USAF on Christmas Eve 1947 and traveled to many places during his service career. He met and married Elfriede Emma Marie (Kessler) Tanner in Darmstadt, Germany and upon retiring, settled his family in Albuquerque where he discovered stock car racing. The Tanner family was a permanent fixture at the Speedway Park racetrack throughout the 70s and early 80s. Wayne built and made sure that each of his six children had the opportunity to drive a racecar during that time, and was always there with mom in tow to cheer us on. In later years, Heron Lake would become their haven and many times dad's name appeared in the paper reporting on his catches of the week. Wayne was preceded in death by his wife, Elfriede; son, Ronnie; father, Verness L.; and brother-in-law, Birdette Swanson. He is survived by six children, Judy (Tanner) Ronquillo and husband, Ron, Cheryl (Tanner) Stephens and husband, J.C., Melonie Tanner, David Tanner, Tracey (Tanner) West and husband, Andy and John Tanner; mother, Carrie Tanner of Iowa; sister, Edith Mae Swanson of Iowa; brother, Larry Tanner and wife, Carol of California; grandchildren, Paul, Ronnie and Joey Fegan, Anthony Ronquillo, T.J. Blaney, Jason, Debbie and Dillon Tanner, Matthew Tanner, Brent, Heath and Kagan West, and Heather and Amanda Tanner; great-grandchildren, Jonathon Fegan, Taylor Marie and Ashley Sue Blaney. Special thanks to the staff at Laurel View Healthcare, Albuquerque Kidney Center, and Sandia Hospice. Service and viewing will be held at St Lukes Lutheran Church, 9100 Menual NE. A viewing will be held Wednesday, December 5, 2001 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, December 6, 2001 at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. with full USAF Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Paul, Ronnie and Joey Fegan, Travis (T.J.) Blaney, Jason, and Matthew Tanner. Honorary Pallbearers are Larry Tanner and John Genitski. Arrangements by Direct Funeral Services, 2919 4th NW Albuquerque 505-343-8008.
        Published on: Wed December 05, 2001