Marion H. Lensgraf

Marion Hankins Lensgraf, 92, passed away on Monday, June 19, 2017. She lived independently in her own home in Oklahoma City until her last days. She was born in Lebanon, Tennessee on October 25, 1924 to Sam and Elizabeth Hankins. She grew up on the family farm, and went to high school in Lebanon, where she was part of the cheer squad and was voted Miss High School her senior year in 1942. Marion met her eventual husband, Donald Dale Lensgraf, in the sixth grade. Don recruited her to be editor of their high school yearbook. They married in 1946 while Donald was home on leave from bomber patrol. Marion took a year off during college to support the war effort by working as a secretary for a Naval officer. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 1947 with a degree in education. She then became a teacher, and a mother to five children all of whom were born in five different cities according to Don's military career. She loved needlepointing, reading, gardening, and most of all, her family. Marion was preceded in death by her father Sam Hankins, her mother Elizabeth (Perkins) Hankins, her brother James Hankins, her sister Martha Lee, her daughter Elizabeth Nan (Lensgraf) Copeland, and her husband Donald Dale Lensgraf. Marion is survived by her children, Eric James Lensgraf, Teresa Anne (Lensgraf) Ripley, Samuel Jay Lensgraf, and Daniel Dale Lensgraf; her grandchildren John William Lensgraf, Mary (Lensgraf) Cherry, Matthew Craig Copeland, Elizabeth Ann (Copeland) Neff, Marion Delana Lensgraf, Claire Beth Lensgraf, and Samuel Eric Lensgraf; and her great grandchildren Madeline and Harrison Neff. A Memorial Service to celebrate Marion's life will take place at 1:00p.m. Friday, June 23rd at Smith & Kernke N. May Chapel with burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.