Elizabeth Y. Lankford

March 17, 1928 – February 27, 2011

Elizabeth passed away peacefully early Sunday morning at Brookestone Meadows in Elkhorn, NE.

Elizabeth was born and raised in Omaha, attended Lindenwood College in St. Charles, MO and spent her early married life in St. Louis, teaching school while Hal completed his education. In 1962, Elizabeth, Hal and their children, Kathi, Bob and Clay moved to Omaha. Four years later, Peter was born to complete the family.

A music educator by profession, Elizabeth made a decision to shift her focus from teaching school to raising a close-knit and loving family. She was always passionately devoted to her children and was an advocate for those in need. She cared for her aging parents and she and Hal have tirelessly dedicated themselves to ensuring a quality meaningful life for their son, Clay, who has Williams Syndrome.

Over her lifetime, Elizabeth spent many hours volunteering in school, church, GOARC, and as a Hospice volunteer with the VNA. She is a longtime member of P.E.O. Chapter EC.

Elizabeth is preceded in death by her parents, Ford and Ethel Bates and her sisters, Barbara (Bates) Fitch and Marjorie (Bates) West.

She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Hal Lankford, and her devoted children, Kathi Vitas (John), Milwaukee, WI; Bob Lankford (Judi), Cayman Islands; Clayton Lankford, Beatrice, NE; and Peter Lankford (Alyna), Boston, MA.

Loving grandmother to Kristi Lynch (Ryan), Kari Lankford Malinak (Keith), Kinzy Bloomquist (Tom), Jonathan Vitas (Angie), Jennifer Vitas (fiancé Tom Labanowski), Lia Lankford and Adam Lankford. Great-grandmother to Owen, Liam, and Cian Lynch, Azlin, Ezra, and Zelie Lankford Malinak, and Neil and Abel Bloomquist.

Special Mother to John (Judy) Swanson, Hartford. CT and Grandma to Michael (Melissa) Swanson and Victoria, Aurora, CO. Caring “mom” to John Stuve of Omaha.

Beloved cousin of Shirley (George) Berry, Denison, IA. Dear aunt to Bevianne, Russell, and Brian Fitch.

A celebration of Elizabeth’s life will be held on Saturday, March 19 at 11:00 AM at Countryside Community Church, 8787 Pacific Street,
Omaha

Memorials to MOSAIC BEATRICE CAMPUS, P.O. Box 607, Beatrice, NE 68310

Please visit Elizabeth’s website http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/elizabethlankford