Elizabeth Lane Obituary

Elizabeth Marian (Lack) Lane passed away on April 1, 2025, at the age of 75. She was born December 19, 1949, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Marjorie and Walter Lack, the second oldest of nine children. Her father, a Lutheran minister, had his first calling at a church in Kansas City, but with subsequent callings to Shenandoah, Iowa, and Cherokee, Iowa, Elizabeth spent her formative years growing up on Cherry Street in Cherokee, and lived a very idyllic childhood like her five sisters and three brothers. Euphemistically called the Cherry Street Gang because of over 100 kids that lived in a two-block area, it was never too difficult to find a friend with which to hopscotch, hula hoop, throw a frisbee, go to the vacant lot to play workup, or take a walk to the “little store” for some bubble gum or taffy.

Being one of the older children, she was a “big help” to her mother with the remaining seven children born between 1951 and 1964, There was literally a baby present about every other year until she graduated from Cherokee’s Washington High School in 1968. Elizabeth was a good student and active in band (clarinet), vocal music, student council, and 4-H (youth development program), to name a few. An interest in the medical field led her to attend the University of Iowa where she earned a degree in physical therapy in 1972.

After college and marriage to her first husband, Pat Sutter, she practiced physical therapy in Harrisburg, Illinois. They moved to Des Moines in 1977 where Elizabeth worked for Visting Nurses and UnityPoint At Home, in positions in which she enthusiastically helped hundreds of patients with physical therapy during her career. She loved being a physical therapist for homecare. Elizabeth completed her career as the Statewide Director for Therapy Services for UnityPoint At Home.

Elizabeth focused on fitness throughout her life and during a span of time that included the 80’s, 90’s, and 00’s, she ran over 50 marathons and countless road races in the local community and beyond. Among her destination marathons were Boston, New York, Chicago, Twin Cities, Catalina, Big Sur, and Death Valley. For over forty years, she held the speed records for the Pikes Peak marathon and ascent for an Iowa woman or man. At the Drake Field House, Elizabeth won the charity marathon for a paralyzed Drake student which was the world’s first indoor marathon. Just as important as her individual accomplishments, she was a central figure in running groups in Central Iowa, inspiring and encouraging others to join in both the fitness and competitive aspects of running. She got tremendous enjoyment from the camaraderie she had with her running partners, some of which became her best friends.

While on one of her cherished hiking and exploring trips to western states in 1996, Elizabeth met Milton Lane. They shared many common interests and were later married. Milton moved to Des Moines, and they purchased a house in Beaverdale where they lived for the past 28 years. Elizabeth always relished challenging day hikes including the Zion Narrows where she met Milton, Zion Subway, Angels Landing and Mount Whitney. She loved cable hikes up Half Dome and many other Yosemite hikes and the Napali coast hike in Kauai. Elizabeth enjoyed attending the annual Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena and trips to towns in Iowa, Illinois and Michigan where family ancestors had roots and descendants to visit and reminisce.

Elizabeth was a loving and caring aunt to her many nieces and nephews and supported them by attending events and following their activities. She enjoyed hosting Thanksgiving get togethers at her home and having the large number of family members spend the day. She will be missed dearly by her family.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her mother and father as well as her brother, David, and brother-in-law, Byron Reed. Cherishing her memory are her husband, Milton; her siblings, Christine Reed, Curtis Lack (Patty), Tami Lack (Roy Crawford), Deborah Lack, Rosemary Gast (Daniel), Caroline Sorem (Blake), Timothy Lack (Michelle), and Catherine Mckim (Pat); her nieces/nephews, Michael Reed (Angela), Elizabeth Eden (Matt), Andrew Lack (Molly), Jonathan Lack, Thomas Lack, Jeshua Lack (Allison), Obadiah Lack (Gabrielle), Samuel Lack (Olivia), Joseph Gast (Sarah), Marjorie Gast, Lilly Gast, Holden Sorem (Holly), Wyatt Sorem, Delaney Olson (Grant),Tucker Lack, Ben Lack, Hannah Joslin (Trevor Adams), Joe Joslin (Jill), William Joslin (Maryssa); and their growing families.

The family asks that donations be made in Elizabeth’s name to Polk County Jester Park Nature Center or the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge where Elizabeth enjoyed viewing the elk and bison and beauty of the countryside. Donations can also be made to Zion National Park in Elizabeth’s name. Though no visitation or service are planned, memorial donations and comments may be sent (physically or online) to the Iles Westover Funeral Home, 6337 Hickman Rd, Des Moines, IA 50322, (www.ilesfuneralhomes.com).

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