Lana Kay Brisendine

LANA KAY BRISENDINE Lana Kay Brisendine-Smith passed away suddenly on Wednesday, October 7, 2025, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. A "Celebration of her Life" will be held Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at the Christ Community Church located at 900 East 4th St., Pittsburg, Kansas. Graveside will be held November 10, 2025, at Walnut Valley Memorial Gardens in El Dorado, Kansas, at 11:00 A.M. Lana loved the colors turquoise/blue. If you would like to wear one of these colors in honor of her memory, please do. She was born in Lamar, Colorado, on November 19, 1958, to the late Ines Faye (Gibson) and Russell Lee Brisendine. She married Kenneth L. Smith on August 30, 1985, in Miami, Oklahoma. Lana loved learning, during elementary school, Pittsburg High School, Pittsburg State University, (Bachelor of Science), and her pride and Joy, Pittsburg State University, (Master of Science). Both degrees were in Psychology. She worked 20-plus years for the state of Missouri in the mental health profession, receiving numerous awards for her accomplishments in this field. She loved this field and worked hard to help people improve. Lana also loved animals. Her favorites were dogs and cats. She loved her cat Midnight, who was a great companion for her. Lana was a creative person, and it showed wherever she moved. Her homes were always decorated nicely and were welcoming to others. She loved her family, her friends, flowers, and music. Lana is survived by: brother, Doug Brisendine (Rhonda), and sister Janet. She is also survived by nieces and nephews: Sara Stiver (Donnie), Chris Baker, Jeff Baker (Heather), James Brisendine, and Tim Brisendine (Jessica). Cousins: Brisendine and Gibson=37 cousins. Former spouse: Ken Smith. In lieu of flowers, a memorial can be made for SEK Humane Society located at 1835 Megan Circle, Pittsburg, Kansas.