Lanny Birdsell

Lanny Lee Birdsell died unexpectedly March 8, 2017 at his home in Raytown, Missouri. He was born in Beloit, Kansas December 16, 1956, the youngest of five children to Alfred and Lorraine (Yocum) Birdsell. Lanny graduated from Montesano High School, Montesano, WA in 1975. He earned an Associates Degree from Grays Harbor Community College before going on to Western Washington University in Bellingham to receive his Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communications Education. After working for a number of years, he moved to the Detroit area and completed a Master's Degree in Fine Arts at Wayne State University.
Lanny's first job was at the W.H. Abel Memorial Timberland Library, working in maintenance and then as a page, shelving books. During his years in Bellingham he worked at the Western Washington University library and was active in local theater productions as a director and costume designer. While at Wayne State University he worked in a copy shop and later as manager of the University Costume Shop. After moving to the Kansas City area, he became manager of an apartment complex. He continued to do alterations and sewing for friends and family.
Lanny was a member of the Church of Christ, most recently meeting with the Gregory Boulevard congregation. Lanny was always willing to help those who needed help. He enjoyed sewing, cooking, reading and visiting with friends and family.
Lanny was preceded in death by both of his parents. He is survived by his four siblings and their families: Joyce and Richard Salmon; Warren and Carol Birdsell, Betty and Glen Rotan, and Suzette and Clyde Gile; nephews Raymond (wife Erin) Salmon and Chris Birdsell; and niece Susan (Birdsell) (husband Robb) Wagner.

Graveside services will be at 1:00 PM Friday, March 17 at the Highland Church Cemetery near Jamestown. Memorials may be given to the WH Abel Memorial Timberland Library of Montesano, Washington.