Ronald Lee Lankard

Ronald Lee Lankard passed away March 26, 2023, at his home in Emmett.  Ron was born December 31, 1937, to Ernest and Flora Lankard in Long Beach, California. Ernest and Flora were originally from Oklahoma and Minnesota respectively.  The Lankard family found their way to Long Beach, CA after the Great Depression when oil was discovered in Long Beach. Ernest came to Long Beach, CA, with his experience from working oil fields in Miami, OK. 

Ron shared fond memories of growing up in Long Beach. Pulling his wagon around the neighborhood collecting items for repurposing during WWII, especially nylon stockings. Later, he converted his wagon into a covered wagon where he and his friends played cowboys and Indians. 

In 1954, Ron joined the Air Force reserves as a cadet at an air base just north of Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach. Upon graduating High School, Ron went active duty in the Air Force. Following boot camp, he was stationed 5-months in Illinois, 100 miles south of Chicago for weather A-school. After weather school he was stationed in White Sands, NM, where they sent stratospheric balloons up 100,000 feet for monitoring and controlling missiles. Balloons were coated with a metal layer for greater radar reflectivity.  Initiated for guided missile deflection and antiaircraft. Ron was honorably discharged after 25 months due to budget cuts having served 2 years after Korean, 11 years after WWII.

Ron met the love of his life, Marian Marie Bolstad, on a blind date, set up by his mom and her aunt, who worked together. Three months later, they married in Marian’s hometown of Winifred, Montana on August 2, 1959. 

Ron and Marian had two children, Steven and Cheryl. The family of four spent many years living in Anaheim, CA, one year in Cody, WY and 4 years in Cottonwood, AZ, but returned to Riverside, CA to be closer to their grandchildren. In November 2009, they moved to Emmett to join their daughter and her family. 

Ron was fortunate to retire at age 55 from Southern California Edison. He stayed active and busy woodworking, painting, gardening and cheering on his grandchildren in their sports, theatre and education. He loved to be of service to his neighbors and cherished their returned support when Marian became ill and he became a full-time caregiver. 

Ron was preceded in death by his wife and parents. He is survived by his brother, Rick; son, Steve (Lisa); daughter Cheryl (Barry) Williams, and 4 grandchildren: Erika, Brian, Troy and Drake. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Kelly, and a number of nieces & nephews. 

The Lankard & Williams families are very grateful to wonderful neighbors Diane & Norma, our church family at Calvary Chapel Emmett and Heart ‘N Home Hospice for the exceptional support to us all. 

A Celebration of Life for Ron will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the Potter Funeral Chapel (228 E. Main St., Emmett, ID 83617).

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