Carl Edward Danner February 29, 1940–June 16, 2024 Ed Danner passed away on June 16th, 2024, in Orofino, Idaho. He was 84 years old. Carl Edward Danner was born on a leap year day, February 29, 1940, in Elwood, Indiana. His parents were William Glenn and Bertha Hillard Danner. Ed often joked about being a leap year baby, and even up to his last “leap year birthday” this past February, he was making jokes about finally making it to the age of 21. Ed grew up in Elwood, Indiana, and enjoyed sports, especially baseball, as a kid. His dad passed away of a heart attack when he was just 16 years old, so he began working some, in addition to attending high school, to help his mom pay the bills. He graduated from Wendell Willkie High School in Elwood, Indiana, in 1958. He attended Purdue University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture in 1965. The Vietnam War was underway in 1965, and Ed knew he would soon be drafted. He often told the story about how he decided which recruiting office to go to to enlist rather than be drafted. He would say that he knew where the Army office was and where the Air Force office was, so that is how he narrowed his choices down. Ed would go on to say that he knew if he enlisted in the Army, he would probably sleep on the ground, but if he enlisted with the Air Force, he would have a bunk to sleep in. In August of 1965, he joined the Air Force as an officer. He spent the next 21 years of his life serving in the Air Force and retiring as a major. He received numerous medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. Ed attended officer training school and became both a navigator and an electronic warfare officer for the B-52 bombers. He flew over 180 missions during Vietnam and was deployed overseas numerous times. Ed was also stationed in Minot, North Dakota; Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, California; a SAC station in Wilder, Idaho; and finally worked at NORAD in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 1984, Ed had a heart attack, and the Air Force grounded him from flying. He retired after 21 ½ years in the service and went back to school to become a teacher. In 1987, he and his family moved from Colorado Springs to Nampa, Idaho, so he could attend Boise State University and earn his teaching degree. Upon earning his degree, he spent several years substitute teaching in Kuna and instructing high-risk youth in Nampa. He also spent many years coaching boys and girls in high school soccer at Kuna High School, which brought him so much joy. In 1996, his Varsity boys’ soccer team won the state championship! Coach Danner was very beloved by his players. Ed met his eternal companion, Lana Woods, when he was 20 years old, and she was just 16. They met on a blind date and continued to date over the next 10 years. They were married in Indiana on August 15, 1971. They had just celebrated their 47th anniversary in 2018 when Lana passed away. They had a long, happy marriage and are together again. They had four children. Shea (Heather) of Cypress, Texas; Tim (Jean) of Farmington, Utah; Katie (Dan) of Columbia City, Oregon; and Anne (Jared) of Orofino, Idaho. They also had 15 grandchildren, which were their pride and joy. In 1976, Ed and Lana joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were very active members throughout their lives. Some of Ed’s callings included Scout Master, 2nd counselor in the bishopric, and Stake Clerk. He also worked in the family history center for many years and enjoyed that calling as well. Ed loved to serve and was always looking for ways to help others. Ed will be remembered for many of his characteristics, but most will remember him as a kind, generous man who, despite numerous health issues, still smiled and had a great outlook on life. Ed was a friend to everyone he met. He will be greatly missed, but his family takes great comfort in knowing he is with his beloved Lana again, and they will all see him and her again one day. Families are forever.
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