Lela Ruth Lanpher

Passed away on March 16, 2014, of heart disease. She was born on January 1, 1929 in Hannibal, Wisconsin, to William and Bertha (Talbot) Nibbelink. She spent most of her childhood in Columbia, Missouri, graduating from the University of Missouri.

She married Buel Franklin Lanpher, Jr in 1950. They lived in Iowa and Kentucky before moving to northern Virginia in 1958. Lee, a retired children’s librarian, earned her MLS degree from Catholic University and worked for the Fairfax County Public Libraries for 19 years. Lee was devoted to helping children become life-long readers. She lived in York, Pennsylvania for seven years and moved to Longmont, Colorado in 2010.

Lee was predeceased by her husband, Buel, and their eldest son, Dr. Gregory Buel Lanpher. She is survived by her son, Ted William Lanpher of Half Moon Bay, California; her daughter, Teresa Lanpher Nugent, and son-in-law, Philip Robert Nugent, both of Niwot, Colorado; her daughter-in-law, Karen Braun Lanpher, of York, Pennsylvania; and five dearly-loved grandchildren: Ryan Gregory Lanpher, Sarah Talbot Lanpher, Michele Garrett Lanpher, Madison Grace Lanpher, and Fiona Marie Lanpher Nugent.

Lee will be buried at National Memorial Park in Falls Church, Virginia. A memorial service will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church in Falls Church at noon on March 26. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Knox Presbyterian Church, the Fairfax Library Foundation, or the American Cancer Society-Benefit of Hope, 924-N Colonial Ave, York, Pennsylvania.

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