Mary Loretta Lankard

Mary Loretta Lankard passed away at the age of 78 at her home on February 26, 2016. She was born on September 2, 1937 east of Westphalia, the daughter of Carl Joseph and Evelyn Velma (Landis) Roth. Loretta was six when they moved to the Maple Grove neighborhood where she attended grade school for eight years and later graduated from high school at Westphalia with the Class of 1955. On November 12, 1955, she married Walter Keith Lankard. They made their home on a farm northeast of Harris, Kansas, where Loretta lived for 49 years. To this union was born four children, Kenneth Wayne, Larry Lee, Duane Alan and Janet Marie. Loretta always enjoyed her family and friends. She loved God's scenic outdoors, fishing, gardening, and walking to visit neighbors. She was always ready to share any extra garden vegetables and to do chores for neighbors while they were gone. She was a devoted homemaker and mother, living on the farm for 66 years. She remained on the farm for 10 years after the death of her husband in 1994, after which she moved to Garnett in 2004. She was an active member and volunteer at First Christian Church in Garnett. She helped out the church in preparing meals when called upon until her health would no longer allow and she wasn't strong enough to help out. Loretta was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Walter Keith Lankard. She is survived by three sons, Kenneth Lankard and wife JoHannah of Garnett, Kansas, Larry Lankard and wife Dottie of Independence, Kansas, Duane Lankard and wife Treana of Lenexa, Kansas; one daughter, Janet Lankard of Topeka, Kansas; six grandchildren, Tami Wilson and husband Jeff, Kurtis Lankard and wife Tressa, Ryan Lankard and wife Tera, Jodi Shultz and husband Kendall, Daniel Lankard and Ashley Lankard; five great grandchildren, Noah Lankard, Brady Lankard, Kurtis Keith Lankard, Kaden Shultz and Jalie Shultz. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at the First Christian Church, Garnett. Burial will follow in the Garnett Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 6:00-8:00 PM, Monday evening at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church or Crossroads Hospice. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .