Anajean Muhlhausen Lancaster

Anajean Muhlhausen Lancaster was born March 17, 1923 in Greenwood, Mississippi to Opal and Stewart Muhlhausen. Anajean passed away January 29th, at Inverness Village in Tulsa Oklahoma, she was a 14 year resident at Inverness Village. In her early childhood her family moved to Oklahoma City where she spent her youth among her large family. As an only child she was never alone as she enjoyed many Aunts and Uncles who shared a large home while the country suffered the great depression. She often said it was great fun to have three families living in the same house as there was always something happening! Anajean graduated from Central High School in OKC then on to the University of Oklahoma.Her best friend, Maryanne Fischer, introduced her to the man she would marry- Fred Lancaster while she was attending OU. They were married in OKC December 30, 1941. Fred and Anajean settled in Shawnee, after Fred returned from WWll, where they raised their two sons Larry and Eddie. Anajean was diagnosed with polio when the boys were very young, she was hospitalized, and the family was told she would probably never walk again. She walked out of the hospital and started Anajean's School of Dance! She owned and operated Anajean's School of Dance for 30 years eventually buying her own building to house the dance studio. Anajean taught countless children tap dancing, ballet, and modern jazz, her recitals were an event in Shawnee filling the Municipal Auditorium and later the High School Auditorium. Two of her students were voted Miss Oklahoma where their talent was dancing. Anajean and Fred moved to Pueblo, Colorado in the early 70’s when they bought A-1 Rental Company. After Fred’s passing she also inherited her father's rental business (also in Pueblo) she ran both businesses until she sold them to retire. As well as a dancer Anajean was an avid golfer and a good one! She took up golf in Shawnee and loved playing. She was competitive but just enjoyed the game- especially when she played well! She moved to Phoenix, Arizona where she joined the Dancing Grandmas and danced into her mid 70’s At last count she owned 5 different motor homes each one bigger than the last. She traveled all over the country on motor home rallies with many friends. Anajean always had the travel bug. She started with a paddlewheel cruise down the Mississippi River (which she made 4 times), then graduated to ocean liners where she took over 20 different cruises including a 6 week cruise all around Italy. She also enjoyed Alaska cruises (twice) including an extensive tour of the Denali National Park. Anajean was an athlete, an out doors person always looking for another challenge- she learned to ski when she was 72, she also loved to fish. She was an avid fan of her beloved Oklahoma Sooners and never missed an OU football game, basketball game, or her Sooner softball games. Her family and many friends will always remember her positive attitude (she never had a bad day) and her boundless energy. She was active in the Asbury Methodist Church in Tulsa. Anajean is survived by: Son- Eddie and Judye Lancaster of Tulsa Grandsons: Dr Taylor Lancaster, his wife Heidi, their children Caroline and Jackson of Norman, OK Austin Lancaster, his wife Melissa and their children Laina and Peyton of Tulsa And her dearest friend Maryanne Fischer of Norman, OK Son-Larry and Frances Lancaster of Tecumseh, OK Granddaughter: Stacy Ann Lancaster of Moore, OK Grandson: Lawrence Phillip Lancaster, his wife Susan of Magnolia, TX, their children, Chance Lancaster of Magnolia, TX, Anthony DeMarzo, his wife Morgan of Magnolia, TX, Tiffani Henson, her husband, Byron of New Boston, TX, their children, Colton, William, & Kayleigh, Shelby (Lancaster) Moehlig, her husband Dustin of Katy, TX and their daughter, Hadley Rae. No services are planned at this time.