VANATTA, Elizabeth Ann (Brotherton) - b. August 28, 1956 - d. March 24, 2017

[patyrn]

Elizabeth Ann Vanatta, 60, of Caney, Kansas, died March 24, 2017 after complications for a surgical procedure in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.    She was born August 28, 1956 in Quinton, Oklahoma to Lawrence and Virginia Croslin and was adopted at the age of eight into the family of Emmett and Norma Brotherton and eventually moved to Longton, Kansas where she graduated from high school.

Ann worked as a physical therapist and front-end-loader operator before graduating from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas with a Bachelor's degree and becoming a Registered Nurse.  She was best known for her work with Alzheimer's patients and as a nursing home director.

Ann is survived by her husband of 37 years, Bruce Vanatta of Caney, Kansas; her sons, Jay and Carol Vestal of Hot Springs, Arkansas and Quentin and Mandy Vanatta of Independence, Kansas; her stepdaughters, Stephanie Vanatta of Kansas City, Missouri, Dolly and Junior Johnson of Omaha, Nebraska, and Marla Vanatta of Omaha, Nebraska; her brothers, Terry and Kathy Brotherton and Tony and Shelley Brotherton, all of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, John and Susan Ellexson of Beaver, Oklahoma, and Billy Jennings of Duncan, Oklahoma; her sister, Bobbye Grove of Apopka, Florida; 21 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends. 

Ann was preceded in death by her adoptive parents, Emmett and Norma Brotherton of Longton, Kansas; her father, Lawrence Croslin of Del City, Oklahoma; her mother, Virginia Croslin of Quinton, Oklahoma; her brother, Larry Croslin of McAlester, Oklahoma; her sister, Jill Heers of Apopka, Florida; and her granddaughter, Courtney Vanatta of Coffeyville, Kansas.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 28, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.  Funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the Longton United Methodist Church in Longton, Kansas with Pastors Adam Davidson and Dena Allison officiating.  Burial will follow at the Longton Cemetery.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.countrysidefh.com.  Memorials have been suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and may be left with or mailed to Countryside Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)