Judith A. (Bakewell) Lanka was born May 23, 1934 and left her earthly home on April 30, 2025 to live eternally with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 90.

She was the second of three daughters born to Myron and Velna (Bay) Bakewell. The family lived and farmed west of Stapleton.

Judy attended Nesbit Grade School and Baker Rural High School in Stapleton, where she graduated in 1951. Following high school Judy traveled by train to Chicago, Ill., where she studied at Moody Bible Institute for one year.

On Sept. 14, 1952, Judy married the love of her life, Clarence Lanka, at the Stapleton Presbyterian Church. Following Clarence’s military service, the couple returned to Nebraska where they lived and ranched north of Stapleton on the Cody Lake Ranch. Here they raised their four children.

Judy was actively involved in the church where she served as Sunday School Superintendent, coordinated and taught at Vacation Bible School, and participated in various women’s ministries. The majority of her time and effort was spent training her children “in the way of the Lord,” as instructed in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, when he is old he will not turn from it.”

She served her community through 4-H leadership, Farm Bureau membership, and numerous organizations and volunteer positions. Judy was a gifted artist and created oil paintings that are now family treasures. The time she spent with other artists at the Thedford Art Guild was special to her. She also contributed as an area writer for the North Platte Telegraph.

Judy is preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Clarence; parents; step-mother, Wilma (Foight) Bakewell; sister, Marian (Bakewell) Lanka; step sister-in-law, Beth Foight; and two brothers-in-law, Elton and Frank Lanka.
She is survived by her four children, Dawn (Doug) Jacobson of Arcadia, Okla., Greg (Marla) Lanka of Ainsworth, Julie (Dan) Fredericks of Phoenix, Ariz. and John (Sandy) Lanka of Stapleton; grandchildren, Hillary (David) Raubach of Arcadia, Lindsey (Eric) Hird of Carlsbad, Calif., Isaac (Heather) Jacobson and Andie (Jason) Emmett, both of Edmond, Okla., Cortney (Andrew) Keener of Fallbrook, Calif., Aaron Lanka of Fernley, Nev., Zach (Annie) Lanka of New Underwood, S.D., Danny (Trish) Fredericks of Wheatland, Wyo., Christi (Justin) Mack of Laramie, Wyo., Candace Fredericks of Kearney, Jessica (Colin) Lundstrom of Lubbock, Texas, Amos (Hayley) Lanka of Washougal, Wash., Sam (Mary) Lanka of Kearney and Becca (Josiah) Zukowski of Salem, Ore.; 41 great-grandchildren; sister, Arlene (Tom) Collins of Shawnee, Kan.; sister-in-law, Lorna Lane of Kearney; step sister-in-law, Darla Dee Parker; brother-in-law, Kenneth E. Lanka of Lincoln; step brother-in-law, Lyle Foight of Paxton; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Judy was a loving and devoted wife, mom, sister, grandma, aunt and friend. She will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 31 at Cornerstone EPC in Stapleton. Internment will be at Loup Valley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Judy’s memory to:

Women’s Resource Center
209 McNeel Lane
North Platte, NE 69101
www.pregnancynorthplatte.com
308-534-1440

Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is assisting the family.

“In the wounds of the dying Savior see the love of the great I AM.” Charles Spurgeon

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