Margaret Lankford Buckendorf was born March 21, 1930 in Gunnison Colorado. Maggie grew up on a ranch on the Taylor River near Almont, CO and Crested Butte. After High School she moved to Laramie and attended the University of Wyoming. She met John Lankford, who pulled her out of a snow drift at Albany Lodge, and they were married weeks later. They had three children; Karl, Joean, and Johnny.
Maggie worked hard her entire life. She and John opened Westgate Sporting Goods in the early sixties. She worked seven days a week selling ski equipment, fishing supplies, hunting gear, and pumping gas. It was a gathering place for a free cup of coffee, penny candy, and visiting friends and neighbors. She hired a lot of young people and passed her work ethics onto many.
John and Maggie bought a ranch on Fox Creek Road and enjoyed years of ranching and relaxing. They loved hunting, fishing, camping, and skiing. After John was killed in an automobile accident in 1975, Maggie sold Westgate and went to work at Snowy Range ski Area. Her commute from the ranch to work included riding her trackster to the nearest plowed road, often miles. She was forever grateful to her neighbors who made sure she got home safe.
Maggie was a great cook. She cooked at the Old Coral, Murf the Surfs, and Woods Landing Café. She also managed the Fox Park Store, where she met her second husband Richard Buckendorf. Her passion was baking delicious pies and cinnamon rolls, which she often made in her own home, earning her the
nickname “Bootleg Pie Lady”. She made special orders for many people and made hundreds of dollars for local Charities who auctioned her pies and rolls. She baked well into her eighties and was baking over 200 pies a year.
Maggie was an avid reader, loved music, and crossword and jigsaw puzzles.
Maggie was preceded in death by husband’s John Lankford and Richard Buckendorf, and son Johnny Lankford. Surviving family members are Karl (Terialee) and Joean (Robert Doberstein), Grandchildren Lacy, Libby (Brian), and Andrew (Jana) and mother Jane Ray, eight Great Grandchildren, Special friend Susie Hooker, many nephews, nieces, and their families, as well as innumerable friends.
Maggie passed away at her beloved ranch home. A Celebration of her life will be held at Albany Lodge, April 17th, 2:00-5:00, unless highways are closed. Mask and social distancing per state recommendations. Contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.
Maggie watched us grow up! We were always at the store buying penny candy! Maggie ~ Heaven is richer now!
I had no idea Maggie passed. I was thinking about her for some reason (and decided to google her on July 21, 2022) and what a good friend she was to my Mom, Lynn May, until her death in 2011. Maggie was one of those people who immediately touched you with her kindness, sharp wit, and intelligence. Dance the dance of the Whirling Dervishes with all the people who adored you, in heaven, you sweet lady.
Tom Ries Maggie was always there for me. I loved her to death. Every time I saw Maggie she was always cheerful and full of life I, like evryone else delighted in eating one of her pies. She can never be replaced. Maggie was a shinning star in Wyoming and will live in our hearts forever. I wish I cold join everyone at the Albany Lodge, but I will be there with you in my thoughts and prayers.
Maggie outfitted me with my first pair of skis around 1971 at Westgate. She was one of the hardest working female I ever met. and a inspiration to all outdoor Men and Women alike. She was definitely a legend to all that had the pleasure of knowing her, may she rest in peace!!
What a wonderful person, she had a heart of gold. Karl and Joean you had a Great Mom, so very sorry she is gone. Jerry and Jackie Yeend
oh shoot Dodo.we r so sorry about Maggie. darn. both Don & I loved her 2 death, Our love & blessing r with U & Carl & all the kids
Karl and Joean, I was very saddened to learn of your loss. It is hard to imagine the emptiness when your mother passes away; she will always be with you in spirit. My mind is filled with sweet memories of your family. When I think of Westgate Sports I think of Maggie, being all things to all the people that entered the store. May your fond memories of her help you through this difficult time and know that others share in your loss.
Joeann.... I am so very sorry for your loss. It was a pleasure to meet your mother a few weeks ago and to see you! My father always talked so highly of your parents. May you be blessed with fond memories now and always!
Maggie was like a sister to me, she will be missed.
Maggie was such a dear. Always had a smile and a story and the best pies in Wy. God bless all of you.
Oh the memories with your mama. She was a gem. She always had a smile, a story and the best pies in Wyoming. She loved her family and friends with only the love that Maggie could do it. The Maggie way. God bless all of you.
Sorry for your loss she was always so nice and a very good pie maker she will be missed
Karl, T-Lee and family...I will keep all of you in my thoughts.
Maggie one of my dearest friends and like a mother and mentor to me for years. I remember when John first brought her home to Albany to meet family. Maggie and John were both 19 at the time. Maggie will always have a special place in my heart. Our families were intertwinded from when John, Sonny and Harry were young teenagers. Johns mother, aunt Ida was the Albany Post Mistress for years. I spent many days with her. Having to move to Laramie to enter High School in 1957 with no where to go, Maggie and John took me in and I lived and worked for them for my freshman, sophomore. and most of my junior year until I entered the Navy. I worked many shifts at Westgate when they first opened. John came and got me from the hay fields to start the store prior to my sophomore year. I owe more to John and Maggie than anyone on earth. They were my surrogate parents long before I lived with them. I had the privilege to baby sit the three for a couple of years, Karl and I always got into trouble together. Much fun. I lived in several different houses with them. Really enjoyed helping to build there cabin in Albany, where we always had fun bringing their friends up in the winter to go skiing up the hill on old logging roads. In the summer of 1957, my cousin Fred and I would help ourselves to several cases of beer each week when the beer truck delivered to Aunt Betty's bar. We hid much in the Blue Bird creek over by the old pond. My grandmother rented out her cabins during summer to some really nice people with kids our age. Maggie would take a couple of the girls and find the beer in the creek and share with them and then tell us. Fantastic cook. I could go on for hours writing about how great Maggie was and all the stories about her and John and their families. Of course you see I still could never tell you how loving and caring and super intelligent she was. She loved her children with all her heart. The communication from home to me over the past several decades has not been that great, but in my last call to her a few years ago, we were able to tell each other that we loved each other very much. i can never thank her family enough for the loving leg up they gave me. I have said enough. I will miss you Maggie, but because of my beliefs I know I will see you again, alive here on a paradise earth, your fourth child forever.
Maggie gave go much to all of us, her "kids", as we were growing up. From the days that she was so hard working at Westgate to always welcoming us into her home and her ranch, to the delicious pies she baked, to her wonderful tales of growing up on the Taylor River. There is an empty place in my heart learning of her passing. A one of a kind lady.
Maggie you will certainly be missed! You are one of the unique few whose rich and generous souls made up the defining character of the entire Centennial Valley. When one thinks of that place, your smile and gentle laugh always comes to mind. You are one of the strongest women I have ever known. I am thankful to God to have spent a bit of my life in your presence. To your family, I send my love and prayers, and deepest condolences.
My deepest sympathies to the Langford family. And Thank you for sharing this very special lady with so many of us. Her smile and laughter will always be remembered.
Our hearts go out to Maggie's family. She will be greatly missed Don and Debra Owens
Condolences Quite the story teller
What a legend Maggie leaves behind, especially in Albany, Centennial, and the whole valley. Her pies, cinnamon rolls, restaurant expertise, and a heart of GOLD. So so Blessed to have known her, shared visits, and listened to many many words of advice and wisdom! Thank YOU, Maggie Lankford! My sincere sympathy and prayers to all her family as they celebrate a glorious, hard working woman who used her leadership and adamant character to get any job done.
Always sad to lose a life long neighbor. Maggie gave me more than one ride in the winter. She will always have a special place in my heart. Love and prayers to the family. Scott D
We lived near Woods Landing for 4o+ years and knew Maggie during that whole time. She was a character to say the least with stories and that sly smile that pulled you in. A group of us would have Sunday breakfast at Woods Landing and we were always delighted when Maggie came. She entertained us with tales of her growing up in Colorado and her life in Wyoming. Maggie was just a special person and it was an honor to call her friend. Our hearts go out to her family. She will be missed by many. Pete and Judy Ellsworth
Maggie was such a sweet lady. She will be truly missed by her family, friends and everyone who knew her. Blessings go out to her family.
Karl, Teelee, Joann and All, Anyone that was lucky enough to have know Maggie will forever have an empty place in their heart, yet is honored to call Maggie a friend. I can't remember life without Maggie. My dad and I would always stop at Westgate for supplies on the way fishing and hunting, in later years wearing Easter Bonnets to Woods Landing. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Terri & Brad Jones
Sending thoughts and prayers!