Thomas James Lange

THOMAS JAMES LANGE was born to Norman “Jack” and Colleen (Girard) Lange on June 11, 1957 in Pipestone, Minnesota. He was raised and worked on the family farm near Ward, South Dakota and received his education in Verdi, Minnesota. During his high school years he met the love of his life Deb Wolff. On February 10, 1979, they were united in marriage at Jim and Ardell Wolff’s homestead near Pipestone. Tom and Deb resided in Crosby, Minnesota where Tom was employed at Scorpion Manufacturing. Upon closure of Scorpion, Tom was employed at Anderson Brothers working in road construction. During this time Tom and Deb made their home in Pipestone. He continued working until he was injured on the job in 1994. On January 25, 2011, Tom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. On Saturday, December 1, 2012, he entered the Pipestone County Hospice House and died there on Monday, December 3, 2012 at the age of 55 years, five months and 22 days.

Tom was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone. Throughout his life, he enjoyed fishing year round, especially in the lakes of northern Minnesota. Tom also loved camping with family and friends. A few years ago he bought a Harley Davidson and so enjoyed the rides he and Debbie would go on. Tom was thought of by everyone as a “Jack of All Trades” and “Master of All”.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Deb Lange; two children, Tom Lange, Jr. (Kelly) of Coleman, South Dakota and Ashley Hanson (Jordan) of Strathcona, Minnesota; nine grandchildren; his mother, Colleen Lange of Crosby; four brothers, Daniel Lange (Esther) of Doon, Iowa, John Lange (Kathy) of Little Falls, Minnesota, Jim Lange (Kelly) of Little Falls, David Lange (Kris) of Minneapolis, Minnesota; one sister, Cheryl Buchite (Neil) of Nisswa, Minnesota; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Lange and brother-in-law, Rod Wolff.

To all my friends and family “Keep ‘r Stiff!”