Ricky Lynn Lanham Droege
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Ricky Lynn Lanham Droege, 75, of Oak Grove, Missouri passed away at St. Luke’s Medical Center East on July 17, 2020. A memorial will be held at 7:00pm on August 21, 2020 at Powell Gardens (Memorial Gardens), Kingsville, MO. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Oak Grove, Missouri.
Ricky was born on January 31, 1945 in Superior, Nebraska to Iva and Victor “Max” Lanham. After working on the family farm in Nora, Nebraska, with her brother Robert Lanham, she attended Platte Valley Academy where she graduated high school-class of 1963. She then continued her education at Andrews University where she earned her Nursing degree. Ricky was passionate about nursing and caring for her patients at Lee’s Summit Medical Center for 27 years. She retired from LSMC and wished to continue her passion for caring for others so she dedicated her time by volunteering for Crossroads Hospice and received Volunteer of the Year Award.
She had a smile as big as her heart and never knew a stranger. She had a deep love for photography and served in her church for many years. She wanted all people to know God and his Grace. Her biggest passion was spending time with her family and friends. She loved the outdoors and traveled as much as possible. She enjoyed long road trips and seeing the beautiful scenery.
Ricky is preceded in death by her parents; Iva and Max Lanham; sister, Sandra Paton; and mother in law, Rosa Mary Droege. Survivors include her husband Michael Droege, brother Robert (Sharon) Lanham; children, Erin (Richard) Munson, Elizabeth (Jesse) Epperson, and Amy Vance; 11 Grandchildren, Starla, Summer, Michael, Alicia, Drew, Kirsten, Denton, Chris, Ryan, RaeLynn and Victoria; 6 Great Grandchildren, Xander, Aleah, Braylee, Addison, Rylan and Reagan.
Ricky will forever be remembered by her nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.
I love you aunt ricky
I will miss you soooo much
Your niece
Lori Hewitt
I am so sorry for your loss Erin..I know its hard to lose your Mom….prayers are with you
My heart breaks for you, the family and her friends. She was a wonderful person who would do anything for anyone. Praying for peace and comfort for all. ?
My heart breaks for you, the family and her friends. She was a wonderful person who would do anything for anyone. Praying for peace and comfort for all.
We love you Ricky.. wish we could spend more time with you …. We just got to know you , you leave us to early . Will cherish the very little time we spend together until we meet again . ??
Your friend in Christ
Haunu, Daniel & Sarah
I’m still waiting for her to walk the few steps to my place, knock on my door and show me her latest art projects, pictures of her grandkids and/or a little trinket she picked up at Dollar General!! We laughed, cried and shared good and bad with one another!
We loved so many of the same things….flowers, photography, stepping stones…..I loved her like a sister and I have a special space in my heart just for her. I miss her so!!
Its hard to think she is gone. But God took her home and she is rejoicing with My Aunt Rose and Granny and rest of her family and friends. Love you.
I worked with Ricky at the old hospital and then at Lee Summit new hospital. She was one of a kind her kindness went way beyond than anyone will ever know. I have never been so shocked and all my days. We lost a great person and I loved her. She will be sadly missed among her friends and her loved ones. My heart and prayers go out to them. Ricky is home now and we can all rejoice in that. Loved you as a nurse and a friend. Patricia
I had the pleasure of working with Ricky at Lee’s Summit Medical Center and what a pleasure it always was to be around her. God bless her family. She will be missed by many.
Elizabeth & Amy and Family I’m am truly heartbroken over the loss of your beautiful Mother. My condolences as you navigate through these ruff time’s ahead. What a beautiful legacy she left onto her girl’s, you all are a beautiful reflection of her grace, dedication, and love of Family ? Cherish each other .
oh, what a sweet gal our ricky was! such talented fingers, voice and BIG GRIN. her Oak Grove Church family will miss her so!!! she was my Dress Barn gal…we often saw each other at that store!!! … even at times, purchased the same thing and didn’t know it! as i am remembering, i will ALWAYS remember her grin and caring/kind attitude. see her soon, when Jesus returns…very soon!
I will miss you my dear friend, I will miss our monthly luncheons, thank you for letting me be part of your family, it’s still hard for me to believe you’re really gone, I keep thinking I will be waking up from a bad dream. I will miss your beautiful smile and the kindness you showed to everyone whose paths crossed. Rest peacefully beautiful Angel in the arms of your Lord and Savior. Until we meet again in his presence.
We are sorry for your loss, we pray the Lord will bring you peace and comfort during this difficult time. She will be missed, she was truly a treasure to this crazy world we live in. God Bless.
Ricki had energy for living, hard to believe she’s not! I have a photo she framed and gave me on the wall. Loved nature, loved her girls, loved her God!
your memory will always be with us, you gave us much joy and happiness . we will meet again, love you
Grandma, you will forever be missed. There is now a piece of our heart in Heaven but we are at peace knowing you are with our dear Lord and loved ones we have lost. May you sing and play piano, see all the beautiful wonders, and watch over your little girls. We miss you so much, forever and always my sweet angel.
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers to all. She was a wonderful nurse.
Ricky was a great person who loved people and souls. She was friendly, kind and thoughtful. The Oak Grove SDA Church will miss her greatly. The city of Oak Grove will miss her. Mostly, I am sure her family will miss her. God Bless you all. My condolences.
Carl B.
Elizabeth, Erin, and Amy,my heart just aches for you and your family. I can’t wrap my mind around the fact that your sweet mother is gone. I will miss everything about her her energy, her smile and her love for people. The next person she will see will be the Jesus she loved. Sleep well Ricky, we will see you in the morning!
What a BEAUTIFUL INDIVIDUAL you were SISTER RICKY. I didn’t know you a real long time but I LOVED EVERY SECOND I was with you. You had the BEAUTIFUL LOVE OF JESUS SHINING THROUGH YOUR BEAUTIFUL SMILE AND CHARACTER. I LOVE YOU RICKY AND CAN’T TO SEE YOU IN OUR NEW HOME. ??
I just can’t believe you are going; I have many good memories and lots of them are about are trips to Mejico, I also have many of the pictures that you took; I will meet you in the morning,when the dead in Christ shall rise.
To all the family and friends who knew Ricky our sincerily condolences, from the Romero Corral’s family. We all loved her big smile and kind heart, she will be missed deeply.
To Erin, Elizabeth, and Amy, I never got to meet you but you had an Awesome, Awesome Mother. I loved her so-we were good friends by long distance. I would call her or she would call me and we would catch up. We would write to each other, I loves her letters they were so full of what she was doing. I graduated a year after Ricky did. At alumni’s we would have so much catching up. She was beautiful inside and out and what a beautiful smile!!! I would to be standing by her grave when Jesus comes and awakens her out if her sleep in the ground. And as she rises up we would both go to heaven together. Ricky believes in the Bible and believes these two verses. Eccl. 9:5 and 1 These. 4: 16. Please read them for yourselves and you will truly know where Ricky is now. You all have my heartfelt sympathy. Praying God will comfort you in your loss. Love and Hugs Sharon Ruffing.Sharon Ruffing
She always had a happy smile for me if she saw me return home after work. She always had a small trinket for my yard. I can’t believe she is not right next door. This will be hard for me and everyday as I back out of my driveway I think of her and hope she knows Im thinking of her. And when I Come home at night I miss her sweet smile. Prayers and thoughts to her family from Roy and Linda. She will be missed.
Ricky and I were in the same graduating class at Platte Valley Academy (’63). She was always so vibrant and pretty. She had a personality that knew no stranger. I married Loren Wehling who came from Fairbury, NE. One time as a teenager he remembers going to the Lanhams for a church social. He asked his mother if he could take Ricky for a ride. Loren’s mother was reluctant since the decision was hers because Loren’s dad had not come. Loren did get to take Ricky for a ride, and she became the first girl he ever kissed. So I guess my husband and I both knew Ricky. Small world! Meeting with Ricky at alumni’s was always such a joy. Keeping up with her pictures on facebook allowed me to get to know her family somewhat. It was obvious she loved her girls and grandchildren so much. So my aching heart will remember Ricky’s family in my prayers. Jesus is coming soon! Oh, what a glorious day that will be!
So Sorry For Everyone’s Loss. Losing our Loved ones is Never Easy. She is In Heaven At Peace Now & In No More Pain. Prayers For All?
Rickey was a very kind human being and what a great heart and that smile she will be truly missed.
I just now found this, so am late commenting, but just want to say how much of a blessing Ricky was and a joy to be around. She cared for my late sister at the hospital after the accident that left her very debilitated the rest of her life, and was the most wonderful and caring nurse. Can’t wait for the great reunion day when Jesus comes! Blessings and condolences to the family.
I considered Ricky a dear sister in Christ. We enjoyed talking about nursing, but even more about photography. If either of us got a new camera it was so much fun to share the features and how we liked it!
Rest In Peace My Friend.
Dearest family,
I know Ricky from Chapel Oaks years ago and enjoyed her beautiful sunny smile and her sweet Christian spirit. It was sad to leave Chapel Oaks but I did get to see Ricki and enjoy a quick update on her life and happenings. My heart is broken to hear that she has passed away as I did not know she was even ill. I guess that is what life is all about, remembering the golden minutes and keeping each other in our hearts each day
The last time I saw Ricky at my church, she told me she had been caring for my former father-in-law who died not too long ago. I knew she gave him such Tender Care in his last moments because my mother-in-law spoke of her presence, her prayers, her Tender Care, and her just simply being there to support the family. I had no idea that Ricky would be there with my father-in-law when I could not be present. What a gift to know that such an angel was holding on to the hand of a man that I dearly loved as well. I can’t say enough about Ricky and the shock that this is to hear of her passing away. I know she adored her family and was a gift to all she met. Ricky loved life and lived it to the fullest. My hope is to see Ricky again in heaven where first thing…our tears are wiped away by the hand of our Loving Savior and next, I will see Ricky and her smile! Praise God for this hope!!
Thank you Ricky, for your heart of gold and for your care of others. You will be remembered for your love.
Vivian and Wade Broussard
I have a donation in Rickys memory but it came back from the address I sent it too, from the Oak grove sda church. Can Erinor a family tell me the correct address to mail her memorial? I must have missed it somehow.
Thank you!!
I know you will be greatly missed by all who knew you. I am so sorry to learn of your passing. Missing all your bubbling energy at church. We will all miss you so much. But am glad you are no longer suffering from this horrible virus that is taking away so many peoples loved ones. Rest In Peace Sweet Lady!