1933
Jimmy
2016
Jimmy P. Lange
August 14, 1933 — December 2, 2016
Jimmy Paul Lange was born on August 14, 1933 in Mankato, Kansas, the son of Leo and Elma Fern Applebee Lange. He died on Friday, December 2, 2016 at the Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit, Kansas at the age of 83 years.
He grew up and attended grade school in Beloit, and graduated from Beloit High School in 1951. He enlisted in the US Air Force in February 1952, and took his basic training in San Antonio, TX. From there, he went to the first Air Force all-jet mechanic training base in Amarillo, TX, which included the B-47 jet bomber, the F-80 and the F94-B jet fighter interceptor. He was also stationed in Alaska and Japan during the Korean War. He then returned to the states, where he was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.
Jim returned to Beloit, and on September 14, 1957 he was united in marriage with Mary Ellen Gengler at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Beloit. Four sons and five daughters were born to this union. They were privileged to spend more than 58 years of marriage together until her death in November, 2015.
He worked for the City of Beloit and Southwestern Bell Telephone for several years before working for the Mitchell County Hospital, where he retired after 28 years of service as the head of maintenance.
During his spare time, Jim enjoyed tinkering in his shop, where he could fix or build anything out of nothing. He also enjoyed playing cards with friends, and loved to dance. He could also roller skate and ice skate, and even built his family an ice rink. He was also a fan of John Wayne movies, Johnny Cash, and Glen Campbell, and John Deere equipment.
In addition to his wife, Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father Ralph Lawson; his sister, Charlotte McCracken; and his brother Michael Lawson.
He is survived by his children, Jeff of Topeka, James (Debbie) of Brookville, Jesse of Protection, Joe of Beloit, Janine Brown (Dan) of Beloit, Jean Chism (Loran) of Beloit, Jane Ester (Jack Burks) of Beloit, Joyce May (Todd) of Topeka, and Jennifer Thompson (Robert) of Beloit; sister-in-law, Marlene Lawson of Thornton, CO; two uncles, Ray (Faryl) Lange and Bill (Phyllis) Lange, all of Mankato; 10 grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Funeral services will be at 10 AM Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at St. John's Catholic Church in Beloit, followed by burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery near Mankato. Visitation will be from 9 AM to 4 PM Monday at the McDonald Funeral Home. A rosary service will be at 7 PM Monday at the Church. Memorials may be given to St. John's Memorial Trust Fund, VFW Post #6242 or Solomon Valley Hospice.
He grew up and attended grade school in Beloit, and graduated from Beloit High School in 1951. He enlisted in the US Air Force in February 1952, and took his basic training in San Antonio, TX. From there, he went to the first Air Force all-jet mechanic training base in Amarillo, TX, which included the B-47 jet bomber, the F-80 and the F94-B jet fighter interceptor. He was also stationed in Alaska and Japan during the Korean War. He then returned to the states, where he was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.
Jim returned to Beloit, and on September 14, 1957 he was united in marriage with Mary Ellen Gengler at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Beloit. Four sons and five daughters were born to this union. They were privileged to spend more than 58 years of marriage together until her death in November, 2015.
He worked for the City of Beloit and Southwestern Bell Telephone for several years before working for the Mitchell County Hospital, where he retired after 28 years of service as the head of maintenance.
During his spare time, Jim enjoyed tinkering in his shop, where he could fix or build anything out of nothing. He also enjoyed playing cards with friends, and loved to dance. He could also roller skate and ice skate, and even built his family an ice rink. He was also a fan of John Wayne movies, Johnny Cash, and Glen Campbell, and John Deere equipment.
In addition to his wife, Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father Ralph Lawson; his sister, Charlotte McCracken; and his brother Michael Lawson.
He is survived by his children, Jeff of Topeka, James (Debbie) of Brookville, Jesse of Protection, Joe of Beloit, Janine Brown (Dan) of Beloit, Jean Chism (Loran) of Beloit, Jane Ester (Jack Burks) of Beloit, Joyce May (Todd) of Topeka, and Jennifer Thompson (Robert) of Beloit; sister-in-law, Marlene Lawson of Thornton, CO; two uncles, Ray (Faryl) Lange and Bill (Phyllis) Lange, all of Mankato; 10 grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Funeral services will be at 10 AM Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at St. John's Catholic Church in Beloit, followed by burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery near Mankato. Visitation will be from 9 AM to 4 PM Monday at the McDonald Funeral Home. A rosary service will be at 7 PM Monday at the Church. Memorials may be given to St. John's Memorial Trust Fund, VFW Post #6242 or Solomon Valley Hospice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jimmy P. Lange, please visit our flower store.
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