Lannings’ Life of Public Service

Morrie Lanning was born during World War II to parents who left their Renville, Minnesota, community to find work out west. Following the war, his father found work back in the Midwest, which required the family to uproot nearly 40 times. These relocations provided a unique experience for the young Morrie to understand community needs and later contributed greatly to his commitment to public service, rural development, and stewardship for our natural resources.   

A Partnership Dedicated to Service 

While attending Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, Morrie met and married the love of his life, Ruthie, from Moose Lake, Minnesota. In addition to raising two children, Ruthie, a retired elementary school teacher, recalls enjoying her work with children, including many new to the United States. The experience helped keep her grounded and provided the strength to support Morrie during his life of public service in alignment with his work leading student services and welfare at Concordia College.   

Morrie recognizes that public service takes a team effort to get good things done.  He shares, “I couldn’t have done it all without my wife Ruthie”. 

In addition to a career as Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs at Concordia College, Morrie’s life as a public servant included six years as a City Alderman and another 22 years as Mayor of Moorhead, Minnesota, followed by five terms serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives and holding numerous legislative committee and leadership assignments. 

A Regional Response to Rural Challenges 

Morrie also served as a founding board member of West Central Initiative in 1986. As the farm and mining crisis spread across Minnesota, Morrie recalls the opportunity to work with Russ Ewald at the McKnight Foundation as they worked with citizen groups from around the state to form the six Minnesota Initiative Foundations, including West Central Initiative.  

“This was a critical time in which we were allowed to lead, engage, and provide investment back into the region––building back the rural economy with the help of grants and loans,” Morrie recalls. “Seeing what can happen when a group of people come together for the betterment of our region was incredible.” 

Through seed money provided by the McKnight Foundation, West Central Initiative provided a needed investment through gap financing to small business owners––the organization’s loan program still supports small businesses today. The ability to host Community Funds was also new at that time and provided communities with additional opportunities to support growth that collectively they wanted to see in and around their towns. 

“West Central Initiative has made a real difference in the quality of life in our region,” Morrie says. 

Strengthening Communities Across the Region 

Morrie recalls West Central Initiative’s work establishing a leadership program to help individuals influence the progress and decisions in their communities, encouraging business development throughout the region, and creating a loan program. He takes pride in helping build better communities by establishing Community Funds, such as one in Parkers Prairie to develop the community conference center and gathering place for regional events. Morrie also helped create a fund in Battle Lake to establish a child care center to meet the needs of children and families. West Central Initiative continues to support efforts to build better communities today. 

Investing in the Future 

For more than 40 years, West Central Initiative has demonstrated the value of a regional effort for developing a better life for the communities of the region.  As donors, the Lannings understand the value of community and foundations that provide the lift needed to create a thriving region. 

Morrie reminds us, “Now more than ever, if you want a better life and future for the next generation, look to the work of your regional community foundation.” 

Explore the anniversary page learn about the work of West Central Initiative, its past, present, and future.