OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Thomas “Tom” Martin Lane, 81, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, at the Osage Nursing Center, Osage City, Kan. Tom was born Jan. 20, 1939, on his family farm near Osage City, the son of William and Alice (Martin) Lane, and stepfather, John Black.
Tom graduated from Osage City High School in 1956. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army, with a tour in Germany 1959-1961 and returned for stateside duty until 1965. Upon returning home from his overseas tour, Tom took over the family farm operation in Osage City.
On Nov. 25, 1962, Tom and Linda Jane Smith, of Burlingame, Kan., were married. From this union three children were born, Audrey, John, and Martin. Tom and Jane divorced in 1984.
Tom was active in several agricultural organizations, and he also actively participated in the Farm Aid Strike in the late 1970s that led farmers across the United States, including fellow Osage County farmers, to Washington, D.C.
In addition to Tom’s passion for farming, Tom used his musical talents as a bass guitar player in the band, Vikings, which eventually led to the backing of Kenny Starr, from Burlingame.
In 1982, Tom switched careers and began what would become more than 35 years of serving northeast Kansas as a realtor, appraiser, and broker. Widely known as the “Country Gentleman,” Tom, along with Sharon Markley and their team, worked tirelessly to serve the real estate needs of Kansans across the state, earning the team numerous awards and accolades. Lane Real Estate was eventually formed and operated for many years in Lyndon, Kan.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, William and Alice Lane; a brother, Bob Lane; and two sisters, Coleen Keeffe and Maxine Criqui.
Tom is survived by his three children, Audrey (Mike) Bartee, of Osage City, John (Brandy) Lane, Wichita, Kan., and Martin (Suzanne) Lane, Topeka, Kan.; his significant other, Sharon Markley, Topeka, and her three children; brother, Gary (Judy) Lane, Burlington, Kan.; sister, Darlene Haskins, Osage City; seven grandchildren, Ryan, Lauren, Kenzli, Karson, Kolton, Harper and Paxton; and seven honorary grandchildren and five honorary great-grandchildren.
Memorial services for Tom will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Feltner Funeral Chapel, Lyndon. The family will receive friends 10 a.m. until service time. Tom was cremated and inurnment was in the Osage City Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Tom Lane Memorial Fund, to help with parks and recreation in Osage City, and sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451. Condolences can be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.
First published Dec. 28, 2020; updated service information June 9, 2021.
