June 11, 2023-October 24, 2023
Vernon D. Lankenau of Northlake, Texas and Ouray, Colorado died October 24, 2023; he was 93. A Celebration of Life was held at Dalton and Son Funeral Home in Lewisville, Texas on October 30, 2023. A memorial service and inurnment will take place at The United Church of the San Juans and Cedar Hill Cemetery in Ouray, Colorado in summer 2024.
Vern was born on June 11, 1930 to Ruben A. and Josephine (nee Plachetka) Lankenau in Oak Park, Illinois. He was united in marriage with Dorothy Mae Kohl on August 7, 1954 in Peotone, Illinois. Vern was drafted into the US Army in January 1955 and served in Arkansas, Texas and Colorado before being stationed near the 38th parallel at Camp Kaiser in Korea for 15 months. After his discharge from the US Army in 1957, Vern worked in the kitchen cabinet industry until selling his business in 1991. In retirement, Vern worked part-time as a licensed massage therapist at the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas, Texas and the Ouray Hot Springs Pool in Ouray, Colorado.
Vern was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Floyd, and his wife of nearly 57 years, Dorothy. He is survived by his daughter, Laura and husband, Buz LaFrano, of Dallas, Texas, son, Steve Lankenau of Ouray, Colorado, and daughter, Amy and husband, Jay Donoho, of Northlake, Texas, and six grandsons: Chase LaFrano of Denver, Colorado, Trent LaFrano of Chicago, Illinois, Caleb Donoho and wife, Mady, of Keller, Texas, and Cooper, Carter and Corbin Donoho of Northlake, Texas. The family would like to recognize companion caregivers, Lisa Miller of Justin, Texas and Debbie Clapsadl of Ouray, Colorado for being such amiable friends and lunch partners. Special thanks to all the wonderful friends from Illinois, Colorado and Texas who enriched Vern and Dorothy’s lives for decades.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Cedar Hill Cemetery, PO Box 1123, Ouray, CO 81427 or to Ouray Mountain Rescue, PO Box 220, Ouray, CO 81427.
