Alana "Lana" Kathleen (Ornell) Velasquez

Alana “Lana” Kathleen (Ornell) Velasquez, 77, after dealing with ongoing issues related to Parkinson's, entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 8, 2026 at her home in Amarillo, TX.

Visitation will be from 6-7:00 PM, October 14, 2026 at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, 2800 Paramount. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM, Thursday, October 15, 2026 at Paramount Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

She grew up in Minnesota and graduated as Valedictorian of Morgan Park High School in Duluth, MN. Earning a Governor’s Award, she attended Macalester in St. Paul, MN where she received a degree in education. Later, she also earned her Master of Education. Lana taught elementary education for 21 years as a creative and dedicated teacher. In 2008, she was the teacher of the year for Amarillo Public Schools and was invited to the White House. Lana loved writing and wrote multiple devotionals, poems, music, and published a book of poetry. She was active in the Amarillo Area Parkinson’s Association and a member of Paramount Baptist Church. She maintained a beautiful attitude of gratitude and love for the Lord throughout her life. She is loved by all and will be greatly missed.

Lana married Benjamin Velasquez on October 14, 2000 in Amarillo, TX. She loved crossword puzzles. Lana wrote 3 published books, over 100 poems, and 3 songs. She was often referred to as “sweetie pie.”

Lana was preceded in death by her father, Allen Ornell; her mother, Gwendolyn Ornell; her son, David (Sarah) Richards; and her daughter, Kelly Richards.

She is survived by her husband, Benjamin Valasquez; grandchildren: Ryden Fox Richards, Cricket Rickman, Aislinn Richards, and Ian Richards; siblings, Tom Ornell (Carol) of Deluth, MN, Jane Conly (Joe) of Deluth, MN, Jim Ornell (Beverly) of Minneapolis, MN, and Dee Dee Johnson (Larry) of Deluth, MN; and many additional extended family.

We would like to express a special "thanks" to April, Veronica, and Rebecca for the loving care they provided to Lana.