Joan Lange
April 7, 1932 — January 21, 2018
Joan Jacqueline (Ferry) Lange, daughter of Arthur W. and Florence (Halloway) Ferry was born April 7, 1932 in Harlan, Shelby County, Iowa, and died January 21, 2018 at Webster City, Iowa at the age of 85 years and 9 months.
Joan grew up in Kirkman, Iowa, graduating from Kirkman High School in 1949.
On October 19, 1949, she was united in marriage to Russell Lange, the love of her life, in Hiawatha, Kansas. To this union, three children were born: Timothy, Bruce, and Lori. Russ and Joan celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary with their children, staff, and chaplains this past fall while Russell was hospitalized.
Russell and Joan farmed for many years prior to owning and operating Lange's Locker and Grocery in Elk Horn for several years. Russ and Joan also worked road construction with Western Engineering for many years before retiring. Joan spent the remainder of her working years as head cook at Elk Horn-Kimballton Community Schools, a job she truly loved.
Joan's greatest pleasure in life was cooking and baking for her family, or anyone who stopped for a visit. She baked endless loaves of rye bread. She never showed up for a family gathering or kids' birthdays without a loaf of each person's favorite kind.
But one of her most favorite things was when she and Russ spent time with their grandchildren. Whether it was a basketball or football game, cattle or rabbit show, they were there supporting them all! But above all else, whenever she and Russ were together, life was perfect!
Preceeding Joan in death were her husband, her parents, her sisters-in-law Norma Nelson, Vera and husband Elvin Holtz; brothers-in-law Jack and wife Helga Lange, and Mark Lange; son-in-law BJ Thomas.
Survivors include her children Timothy and Patricia Lange, Sibley, Iowa; Bruce and Darcia Lange, Promise City, Iowa; and Lori Thomas, Fort Dodge, Iowa. Her grandchildren Cory and Karen Lange, Bogart, GA; Brett and Rani Lange, Leawood, KS; Lance and Bethany Lange, Promise City, IA; Daniel and April Lange, Royalton, MN; Jennifer and Christopher Runge, Sibley, IA; Elizabeth and Andy Sims, Little Rock, AK; Christian and Kimberly Lange, Sibley, IA; Chad and Courtney Maas, Wayne, NE; Kyle and April Maas, Duncombe, IA. Great-grandchildren Ashlyn and Tyler Lange; Hannah and Ethan Lange; Tanner Lange; Zoey Lange; Madeline and Jackson Lange; Emily and Tori Runge; Raegan, Grant, and Grady Maas; Brynlee, Brecken, and Brenna Maas. Two step grandchildren, seven step great grandchildren, and three step great, great grandchildren. ALL BECAUSE TWO PEOPLE FELL IN LOVE!
Joan is also survived by sister-in-law Carolyn and husband Joe Mason, White Lake, MI; and brother-in-law Richard Nelson, Elk Horn, IA; many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Joan grew up in Kirkman, Iowa, graduating from Kirkman High School in 1949.
On October 19, 1949, she was united in marriage to Russell Lange, the love of her life, in Hiawatha, Kansas. To this union, three children were born: Timothy, Bruce, and Lori. Russ and Joan celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary with their children, staff, and chaplains this past fall while Russell was hospitalized.
Russell and Joan farmed for many years prior to owning and operating Lange's Locker and Grocery in Elk Horn for several years. Russ and Joan also worked road construction with Western Engineering for many years before retiring. Joan spent the remainder of her working years as head cook at Elk Horn-Kimballton Community Schools, a job she truly loved.
Joan's greatest pleasure in life was cooking and baking for her family, or anyone who stopped for a visit. She baked endless loaves of rye bread. She never showed up for a family gathering or kids' birthdays without a loaf of each person's favorite kind.
But one of her most favorite things was when she and Russ spent time with their grandchildren. Whether it was a basketball or football game, cattle or rabbit show, they were there supporting them all! But above all else, whenever she and Russ were together, life was perfect!
Preceeding Joan in death were her husband, her parents, her sisters-in-law Norma Nelson, Vera and husband Elvin Holtz; brothers-in-law Jack and wife Helga Lange, and Mark Lange; son-in-law BJ Thomas.
Survivors include her children Timothy and Patricia Lange, Sibley, Iowa; Bruce and Darcia Lange, Promise City, Iowa; and Lori Thomas, Fort Dodge, Iowa. Her grandchildren Cory and Karen Lange, Bogart, GA; Brett and Rani Lange, Leawood, KS; Lance and Bethany Lange, Promise City, IA; Daniel and April Lange, Royalton, MN; Jennifer and Christopher Runge, Sibley, IA; Elizabeth and Andy Sims, Little Rock, AK; Christian and Kimberly Lange, Sibley, IA; Chad and Courtney Maas, Wayne, NE; Kyle and April Maas, Duncombe, IA. Great-grandchildren Ashlyn and Tyler Lange; Hannah and Ethan Lange; Tanner Lange; Zoey Lange; Madeline and Jackson Lange; Emily and Tori Runge; Raegan, Grant, and Grady Maas; Brynlee, Brecken, and Brenna Maas. Two step grandchildren, seven step great grandchildren, and three step great, great grandchildren. ALL BECAUSE TWO PEOPLE FELL IN LOVE!
Joan is also survived by sister-in-law Carolyn and husband Joe Mason, White Lake, MI; and brother-in-law Richard Nelson, Elk Horn, IA; many nieces, nephews, and friends.
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