Elaine Lingor
Elaine Marie Sannes Lingor was born on May 18, 1950, in Watford City, N.D. She was the third of five daughters born to Allen and Florence Sannes. From the beginning, she was surrounded by family, music and faith - threads that would weave through her entire life.
Elaine graduated from high school and went on to attend Dickinson State College, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and a minor in German. She shared her love of music, shaping lives with patience and joy.
In 1980, Elaine married the love of her life, Dan Lingor. Together they built a life rooted in devotion, faith and service. They moved to Washington, where their son Christopher was born, and later relocated to Pittsburg, Kans., when Dan accepted the position of CEO at Mt. Carmel Medical Center. Throughout these years, Elaine remained deeply involved in church life and community organizations. For decades she faithfully served as her church accompanist, offering her musical gifts in worship.
Family was central to Elaine’s heart. She cherished her lifelong bond with her four sisters, sharing laughter, love and unwavering support through every season of life. She also found profound joy in being a grandmother, a role she embraced with her whole heart.
Elaine held edpecially dear the circle of women she lovingly called her church sisters - the OWLS, “Older Wiser Loving Servants” (or, as they jokingly said, ‘Old Women With Loose Skin)’. Teaching and leading this group brought her great purpose and happiness, blending faith, fellowship, laughter and genuine connection.
In 2022, Elaine was diagnosed with cancer and faced her illness with courage and trust in God, enduring years of chemotherapy. During this journey, her friends and family were a constant source of care and support. In October of 2024, Elaine experienced profound grace when she was reunited with her long lost son Chris Johnson and his wife Dawn - a reunion that felt nothing short of miraculous, bringing healing, peace and a sense of completion to her heart. Elaine’s faith anchored her life. Her favorite Bible verse, Romans 5:6-8, reflected the depth of her belief in God’s love and grace: “At just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly…But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Elaine leaves us with one final lesson drawn from the book “Life Lessons” by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and David Kessler. Genuine joy comes from authentic living, embracing the present and finding contentment now, rather than waiting for a perfect future.
Elaine will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her devotion for family, her love of teaching and her un-wavering trust in God. Her life was a beautiful song, and its melody will continue to echo in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Allen and Florence Sannes; her husband, Dan Lingor; and her brothers-in-law, Jim Eastwood and Paul Wisness.
She is survived by her sons, Christopher (Megan) Lingor and John Christopher (Dawn) Johnson; her two cherished grandchildren; and her sisters, Sharon Eastwood, Sandi Wisness, Julie (Dennis) Gray, and Donna (Gary) Bordner.
A memorial was held Jan. 17, 2026, at First Christian Church in Pittsburg, Kan.