Dana Lantgen (Burch), 64, of Willard, Missouri, passed away after a long illness on March 17, 2025. She was born February 6, 1961, in Houston, Missouri to Jerald D. Burch and Carol Ann Burch (Marquardt).

Dana was a loving mother, gifting her daughter a childhood full of magic and whimsy, and a doting grandmother, front and center at every ballgame and surprising her grandchildren with the most impractical gifts. She was feisty, spicy, spunky, and fun. Dana enjoyed spoiling her pets, reminiscing with classic rock music from her adolescence, winning every card and board game known to man with zero mercy, and never letting us forget it. She enjoyed fishing, antique shopping, movies, any occasion for dessert, and an ever-evolving series of playful mischief. She was always full of surprises; she lived on her own terms, wrote her own rules, and said what she said. With that same tenacity, Dana was one never to be underestimated. She was wildly capable in any pursuit she chose, fighting for justice every opportunity given, and as a lifelong paralegal, always served as an unwavering advocate for the underdog.

Dana lived many different chapters throughout her story, each thrilling in their own right, but her latest one centered around her grandchildren. Even at the end of life, she dreamed of them, speculated how they'd spend their birthdays, and tried to memorize their practice schedule just to keep her mind on what brought her the most joy. Dana knew her Lord and savior, loved her family, and consented she was ready to go to Heaven with her last moments of consciousness. She passed away peacefully in her sleep, and no doubt immediately embraced her mother and best friend, cradled the baby son she lost too soon, and danced in the body she once knew. God broke the mold when He made this sparkly firecracker, and Dana's light will always shine brightly in the family she left behind.

Dana is survived by her grandchildren, Ellie, Connor, and Emmett Hicks, daughter Jenna Hicks (Jared), sister Jerilynn Poulin, brother Greg Burch (Liza), nieces Samantha Burch and Courtney & Nicolette Poulin, nephews David & Kevin Burch (godson), and a much beloved extended family.

She is preceded in death by her parents (Jerald Burch & Carol Marquardt Fry), brother Norman Douglas Burch, grandparents Spurgeon & Zelta Burch and Carl & Adeline Marquardt, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A graveside service and burial will be held at Evergreen Cemetery, 301 E Hines St, Republic, at 10 AM, on Saturday, March 29, 2025.