Patricia Lankford Baer
Oct. 31, 1940-Jan. 25, 2023
Pleasanton, California

Earth lost an angel and Heaven gained one on the death of Patricia Lankford Baer (Patti) on January 25, 2023. Patti was born October 31,1940 in Washington D.C. to Arthur and Marjorie Lankford. They initially lived in VA but later moved to SLC, UT. As a grade-schooler at the Presbyterian church in SLC, she met Alvin Baer, her future husband. During that time, she contracted polio, but because of a doctor with progressive methods she was able to recover.

Patti's father's job took them to Idaho Falls, ID, where Patti went through Jr and Sr High. She was an active member of Job’s Daughters, where she attained the level of Honored Queen. She also joined P.E.O., eventually being honored with both 50 year and 60 year pins. She started her higher level studies at the College of Idaho and Idaho State.

Due to her father's health problems, the family moved back to SLC where Patti continued her education at Westminster College.  She started dating Alvin, and in 1962 they married. He was in the USAF and based in AZ, so they started married life in Chandler, AZ. She continued her education by taking classes at Arizona State.  It was there that she enjoyed being an extra in the Jerry Lewis movie “The Nutty Professor”. She loved to tell that story after meeting him.

After Alvin graduated pilot school, Patti and Alvin were transferred to Dover, DE where she attended Delaware State. Two of her greatest blessings, Carol-Ann and Kristin, were born at the AFB hospital. She and Alvin decided to leave the AF and moved the family to CA.  She was "Mrs. Mom" until the girls were old enough and then started a 25-year career with various schools in the Pleasanton area. She was proud to see her daughters graduate from college and marry. For the past 25 years, Patti has taken great delight in being a devoted grandmother (Gammie) to Morgan and Brent Werder. In typical Patti fashion, she wore a framed, 5x7 copy of their baby pictures around her neck after each was born.

Patti was a lifelong, devoted follower of Jesus, and at various times was Sunday school teacher, youth leader, Deacon, Elder, choir member, and Bible Study leader. She was a church member wherever she lived most recently at GraceWay Presbyterian in Pleasanton.

She was predeceased by her parents, brother Charles, and stepbrother Tom. She is survived by her husband Alvin, daughters Carol-Ann (Michael) and Kristin (Kurt), grandchildren, stepbrothers Glenn (Leila) Hewitt and Paul (Leora) Hewitt, and sister-in-law Bonnie Hewitt.

A Memorial Service will be held at GraceWay Church,1183 Quarry Lane, Pleasanton, CA 94566 on Feb 11, 2023 at 1 pm.