Mary Evelyn (Linsteadt) Lance, 89, passed away peacefully at Woodlands Nursing Facility on February 17, 2021 after a long illness with Parkinson’s Disease. She is preceded in death by her husband of almost 72 years, Loyd Lance, her parents, Fred and Agnes Dophied Linsteadt, two brothers, Raymond and Leo, and best friend, Betty Franklin.
Mary attended St. Xavier School and Denison High School, graduating at 16. She married her childhood sweetheart, Loyd R. Lance on November 26, 1948. She was a homemaker and was active in the Altar Society at St. Patrick’s Church. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
After retiring, Mary and Loyd spent a lot of time traveling to such places as Nova Scotia, Alaska, New England for fall foliage and Loyd’s favorite, Jackson Hole, Wyoming. One of Mary’s last trips was with her best friend, Betty to the tulip festival in Iowa.
She is survived by her four children: Gary (Barbara) Lance, Kathy Calvert, Ellen (Mark) Cross and Kay (Dave) Tamplin from Denison, six grandchildren, Mark (Julia) Lance, Kellie Lance (Josh) Stamper, Jason Leonardi, Amber Cross (Trevor) Lutz, Crystal Cross (Kevin) Beavers and Trisha Lamb and nine great grandchildren: Korryn and Corbyn Stamper, Bret Leonardi, Gena Leonardi Sloan, Presley and Landon Lutz, Emily and Jake Mabary and Wyatt Beavers.
Pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Mark Lance, Brett Leonardi, Josh and Corbyn Stamper, Trevor Lutz and Kevin Beavers. Honorary pallbearers will be Felix Munson and Jay Odum.
Funeral services will be handled by Bratcher Funeral Home in Denison, Texas. Family rosary and visitation will be at Bratcher at 7 pm on Thursday, February 25. A funeral mass will be officiated by Father Mocio at St. Patrick’s Church on February 26, at 10 am with burial at Calvary Cemetery in Denison, Texas.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bratcherfuneralhome.com for the Lance family.
