LANKFORD, Sfa (Larson) 1902-2000

LARSON, LANKFORD, WORBY, COUGHLIN, GALEMA, SHEPARD, GJERDE, TERRY, JOHNSON, MEYER, PETERS, VICKER, STRONG, VERDON

Posted By: Errin Wilker
Date: 7/25/2015 at 15:12:15

Sfa Larson Lankford was called to her eternal home Sunday evening, March 26, 2000.

She had recently become a resident of Thornton Manor, Lansing. Her daughter, Mable, was at her side.

Sfa was the second of seven children born to John and Mable (Worby) Larson, on June 13, 1902, in Iola, Wis. She graduated from Stevens Point High School in 1919. Following graduation, she worked as a bookkeeper for a creamery in Tomahawk, WI. There she met Albert F. Lankford, who was in the area clamming.

As a student, she had hopes of someday seeing the Mississippi. That dream came true when she married Albert. They wed on November 4, 1922, in Lansing, and lived within blocks of the river. They had three children; Mable, Frances and Alan.

She was a true partner and helpmate to "Al," and they provided a loving home filled with kindness and respect for their children and grandchildren. Fond memories remain for those who loved her.

Sfa arrived in Lansing when the roads were yet unpaved, and was a resident for seventy seven years. She witnessed many changes here.

For many years, she was employed by the Lansing Button Company, working out of her home. She later worked at the factory location on the south side. She retired at age 70, then worked as a clerk at R.K.'s Ladies Apparel.

Sfa enjoyed hand-work, sewing, reading, cards, dancing, and traveling. In alter years, the five Larson sisters would take vacations together. Trips on the V-Hive (houseboat owned by Harold and Grave Verdon) were always enjoyed.

She was a long-time member of the Presbyterian Church, served as a Sunday School teacher, and later became the superintendent. She then transferred to the United Methodist Church. She and niece, Karen Galema, turned the first shovel of dirt for the current Methodist church. She was very interested in youth and their projects. She was a faithful member of the Methodist Women's Fellowship.

Sfa received many awards for her volunteer work with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. She also traveled with the Kerndt Brothers Heritage Club.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her 16-year-old son, Alan, in 1961; husband, Albert; daughter, Frances, in 1966; son-in-law, Joseph Coughlin; granddaughter, M. Kathleen (Coughlin) Shephard; granddaughter-in-law, Lynnita Gjerde Terry; two brothers, Gerald and Carl Larson; and one sister, DeElda (Larson) Johnson.

Survivors include her daughter Mable Terry-Meyer; grandchildren, Connie Terry of Stoughton, Wis.; Richard D. Terry of Appleton, Wis.; Dennis (Louise) Coughlin of La Crosse, Wis.; and Patrick (Doris) Coughlin of La Crosse; seven great-grand children, Jeffrey Peters, Tiffany (Terry) Vicker, Lt. Brett Terry, Casey Coughlin, Tristen Coughlin, and Alan and Erin Shephard; two great-great-grandsons, Brennan and Trenton Vicker; and three sisters, Janette Larson, Minerva Strong and Grace Verdon, all of Lansing.

Services were held Thursday, March 30, 2000, at United Methodist Church in Lansing. Pastor Tom Mattson officiated. Great-nephew, David Larson, sang, "In The Garden," and Barbara Leppert and Betty Gramlich sang, "On The Wings of a Dove. Jean Ann Weymiller provided the music, and she accompanied Pastor Tom as he sang, "My Friend and I," and "The Lord's Prayer."

Pallbearers were nephews, John Strong, Ralph Larson, John Verdon, Robert Henkel, John Hisel, and Gary Galema.

Interment was a Oak Hill Cemetery in Lansing.

Source: Allamakee Journal, Lansing, IA, 05 Apr. 2000.