Lana Marie Polk, 74, of Festus died Oct. 3, 2025, at her home. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Festus-Crystal City and a longtime member of Alpine Baptist Church, where her husband pastored for many years. She was a retired customer care representative for Ameren. She loved spending time with her family and will be remembered for her generous, kind and caring personality. Born May 7, 1951, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of Frances “Lil” (Chappius) Burch of Crystal City and the late Robert Burch.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years: the Rev. John Preston Polk Sr.
She is survived by four siblings: Gary (the late Lynda) Burch of Sappington, Steven Burch of Crystal City, Michelle (Bill) Watters of Festus and Robert Burch of Crystal City; five nieces and nephews that she claimed as her own children: Jonathon Burch, Dylan Watters, Derek Watters, Lindsey (Jared) Schneider and Julia (Shane) Ochs; nine great-nieces and nephews: Katelyn, Lilly, Eli, Rose, Arwen, Jaxon, Krew, Carson, and Layla; four stepchildren: John P. (Kimberly Ann) Polk Jr. of Gaithersburg, Md., Laura Ellen (Mike) Appleby of O’Fallon, Shari Lynn Boxdorfer of Cape Girardeau and James (Jennifer) Polk of Fenton; 11 grandchildren: Brenton (Kimberly) Polk, Preston Polk, Josiah Polk, Jordan Polk, Garrett Polk, Zachary Appleby, Maggie (Noah) Ray, Abigail Boxdorfer, Cyrus Boxdorfer, Truman (Heather Miller) Polk and Simon Polk; five great-grandchildren: Autumn, Paige, Charlotte, Anthony and Max; and a close friend: Anita Hess.
She also was preceded in death by a nephew: Austin Burch.
Visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 20, at First Baptist Church of Festus-Crystal City, officiated by Pastor Carey Jones. Interment will follow at 1 p.m. in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Research, Parkinson’s Research or the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.