Joyce M. Lankow

Joyce Marie (Chatwood) Lankow, age 88, of Vermillion, MN, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother was born August 23, 1926 near Doran, MN to Clifford and LuLu (Christophel) Chatwood. She died peacefully, surrounded by family at home on March 25, 2015. Joyce is survived by her children, John E. Lankow (Nancy), Larry J. Lankow (Sandy), Linda J. Lankow (Jim Betz) and Lowell J. Lankow (Vickie); her 13 grandchildren and step grandchildren and her great grandchildren and step great grandchildren. Joyce grew up on the family farm in the Red River Valley. She was very talented, creative and determined. Growing up in the Depression years, family life included working together, learning to make do, participating in a multitude of 4-H activities and making music in the family orchestra. Joyce married LeRoy, the love of her life, in 1947 after he returned from the Pacific Theater of WWII. LeRoy died in July, 1993. They always worked together as a team, first farming near Fergus Falls, then in the uphostery business in the Hastings/Vermillion area. Joyce had a remarkable thirst to learn about everything and was a mentor to young children. At 18, she began teaching in a one room schoolhouse. She also taught first grade at Inver Grove Heights for 15 years. Even during her retirement years, she loved to help neighborhood children, and especially her great grandchildren learn to read, write, spell, do math and love learning. Joyce enjoyed playing music, writing books of memories, gardening, sewing, crocheting, needlepoint, cooking, and making rugs and ornaments. She started oil painting in her 60's with LeRoy as her inspiration. Digital photography and her computer also became an important part of her creative process. Above all, Joyce loved and cared for her family and friends, near and far. A memorial gathering will be held from 4 � 7 PM Monday, March 30 at Caturia-Smidt Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 201 East Seventh Street, Hastings, MN. Memorials are requested to the Children's Literacy Initiative in Joyce's memory at www.cli.org online or to family who will make the donation.