Paul Glenn Lans

Paul Lans, 61, of Chadron, departed life on Tuesday, October 31st, 2023. Paul was born February 20th, 1962, in Alma, Nebraska. He was the 6th child born to Roland Ray and Irene E. (Fischer) Lans. Paul was baptized on March 11th, 1962, and later confirmed on May 20th, 1977, at the Stamford Trinity Lutheran Church. He received his primary education initially from Stamford Highschool then transferred and graduated from Alma with the class of 1980. He pursued higher education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and attained a bachelor’s degree in engineering.

Following his education, Paul began his career with the USDI-Bureau of Reclamation as a Civil Engineer in Grand Junction, Colorado. He was a student intern, then became a full-time employee following college and worked for the Bureau of Reclamation from 1982-2004. He then accepted an engineering position with the USDA-Forest Service in Sparks, Nevada. While working in Sparks, he met Ericka (Gahlhoff) Bartlett and they later had a son, Gunnar August Paul Lans, born on July 13th, 2006, in Reno. They were later married on February 7th, 2007. Desiring to live and be near family, they moved to Chadron, Nebraska, continuing both their careers with the Forest Service. On December 5th, 2008, Aksel Reinhold Kimball Lans was born. Paul continued working for the Forest Service, being a licensed Civil Engineer, in both Colorado and Nebraska, until his retirement at age 56 in April 2018, with over 36 years of Federal Government Service.

Paul was previously married to Christella Kay Stucker, from this union came two boys, Logan Branford, born August 22nd, 1993, and Corey Hendrix, born April 4th, 1997. They made their home in Grand Junction, Colorado. During this time, their family enjoyed being outdoors, doing things they loved like biking, hiking, riding motorcycles, and enjoying music.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents Roland and Irene; sister Jean Wright and husband Clinton; his brother Richard Lans; sister Barb Lans and brother-in-law Larry Chestnut.

Paul leaves to celebrate his life, wife Ericka Lans, sons Gunnar and Aksel of Chadron, Logan and Corey Lans of Colorado, along with his brother Bruce and wife Suzanne Lans of Stamford, Nebraska, sister Shirley Chestnut of Glade, Kansas and sister-in-law Trudy Lans of Colorado Springs, Colorado; 16 nieces and nephews; a host of great-nieces and nephews, one aunt Adale Schroder of Kearney, Nebraska and a host of cousins and friends.