Clarence John Lanka, 96, stepped into eternity with his Lord and Savior on March 17, 2025, from his home in Stapleton, NE. He was born Feb. 5, 1929, at his grandparent’s home in Arthur, NE, the oldest of five children to Frank and Grace (Hayes) Lanka, who ranched southwest of Arthur, NE.
Clarence graduated from Arthur County High School in 1946 and then in the spring of ‘49 the family moved to Stapleton where they began ranching north of town on the Cody Lake Ranch. They quickly became active in the community and attended the Presbyterian Church where Clarence met his future bride, Judy Bakewell.
On September 14, 1952, Clarence and Judy were married in the church where they met. They lived on Cody Lake Ranch until he was drafted into the army and left for basic training at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, TX, August 20, 1954. Judy and baby Dawn stayed in Nebraska, eventually rejoining Clarence in Texas and then transferring to Ft. Niagara, NY, where he served in a Nike Missile Unit. He was honorably discharged Aug. 18, 1956, and returned to the Nebraska Sandhills with his young family, which now included a son, Clarence Greg. His military obligation was completed by serving in the Nebraska National Guard until 1962.
Clarence served on numerous boards and committees through the years, including the school board, two terms as county commissioner, and Nebraska Rural Development. His priority was serving the Lord in the church, where he was on the elder board for many years and taught Sunday School over 50 years.
Clarence enjoyed tie-down calf-roping and he focused on working with and training good horses. As his family grew, now including another little girl, Julie, and a son, John, his desire was to share his talents and passions with his children. Above all, he wanted each of them to know the love and saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Elton and Frank, and sister-in-law, Marian Lanka.
Clarence is survived by his wife of 72 years, Judy; children: Dawn (Doug) Jacobson of Arcadia, OK; Greg (Marla) Lanka of Ainsworth, NE; Julie (Dan) Fredericks of Phoenix, AZ; John (Sandy) Lanka of Stapleton, NE. Grandchildren: Hillary (David) Raubach of Arcadia, OK; Lindsey (Eric) Hird of Carlsbad, CA; Isaac (Heather) Jacobson of Edmond, OK; Cortney (Andrew) Keener of Fallbrook, CA; Aaron Lanka of Fernley, NV; Zach (Annie) Lanka of New Underwood, SD; Danny (Trish) Fredericks of Wheatland, WY; Christi (Justin) Mack of Laramie, WY; Candace Fredericks of Kearney, NE; Jessica (Colin) Lundstrom of Lubbock, TX; Andie (Jason) Emmett of Edmond, OK; Amos (Hayley) Lanka of Washougal, WA; Sam (Mary) Lanka of Kearney, NE; Becca (Josiah) Zukowski of Salem, OR; 41 great-grandchildren; a sister, Lorna Lane of Kearney, NE; a brother, Kenneth Edward Lanka of Lincoln, NE; a sister-in-law, Arlene (Tom) Collins of Shawnee, KS; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Clarence was a gentleman with a warm smile who knew no stranger. He loved living life the cowboy way, all the while displaying love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He will be missed by many.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 29th at Cornerstone EPC in Stapleton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
UIM International (United Indian Missions)
PO Box 6429
Glendale, AZ 85312-6429
Ph: (623)847-9227
E-mail: finoff@uim.org
Home page: www.UIM. org
Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is assisting the family.
