Michael Lee Lane

September 9, 1944 – December 14, 2019

Michael Lee Lane, an inventor, engineer, and beloved family man, died on Dec. 14 in Arvada, Colorado, after a valiant struggle with dementia.

Mike was born on Sept. 9, 1944 in Palo Alto, California, to Wally and Pat (Ruggles) Lane and was the eldest of nine children. The family homesteaded in Moses Lake, Washington, where Mike raised cattle, played trombone in the marching band and wrestled for the high school. He was the first student to register for classes at Big Bend Community College, where he also wrestled and earned an Associate’s Degree. He then served two years in Cameroon with the Peace Corps, where he met the love of his life, fellow volunteer Marcia Stephan, who hailed from Storm Lake, Iowa.

Mike and Marcia were married at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Moses Lake on Dec. 16, 1967. He earned his degree in Agricultural Engineering from Washington State University, where the couple gave birth to their first daughter in 1968. Thereafter, they completed their family with two more children and lived in several locations, including Maui and Moses Lake, before landing in Arvada, Colorado in 1980. He worked in research and development at Coors Brewery for 11 years before launching Quoin Industrial, where he and his partners developed several packaging technologies which earned several U.S. patents. Along the way, he earned an MBA from Regis University, served as scout leader and coach, was a member of the Men’s Club at St. Anne’s Catholic Parish in Arvada and actively enjoyed all Colorado offers, including hiking, skiing, mountain biking, and running, often with his children in tow. His life was more full than he could have dreamed, marked by creativity, love of God and family, and a deep commitment to having fun.

He is survived by Marcia, the wife he cherished for 52 years; his eight siblings Judy (Jim) Cleveland, Jan (Bill) Woodley, Jon (Carol), Cathy (Mike) Ball, Christy (John) Thomas, Jim (Sue), Donald (Deborah) and Bob (Cathy); his children Lisa (Tal) Filholm, Amy (John) Caperton and Nicholas (Amy) Lane and the six grandchildren who filled his heart with joy.

A funeral and celebration of his life will be held at Shrine of St. Anne on Jan. 6 at 10 a.m., with a reception to follow.

Donations in Mike Lane’s memory may be sent to Shrine of St. Anne Catholic Parish, 7555 Grant Place, Arvada, CO 80002.