Dates
Arnold Otto “Jack” Lange, 91, passed away on Friday, November 24, 2017 in San Angelo, Texas, due to complications from COPD. He was born on January 10, 1926, in Olfen, Texas, to Joseph and Helena (Matthiesen) Lange. He was the youngest of 8 children.
Arnold attended Olfen School and St. Boniface Church in Olfen, serving as altar boy and choir member. He grew up helping on the family farm until he joined the Army during WWII.
Arnold served with the Army during 1944-46, with the 20th Infantry Regiment (Sikes Regulars). He saw action in the Pacific Theater with Company B, 6th Division in Luzon, Philippines. It was during this time that he contracted pneumonia and malaria. The relapses of both would later adversely affect him.
On June 10, 1948, he married Ernestine Hoelscher at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in San Angelo Texas. Their marriage produced 5 children – Susan Lange Carlson (Peter), Roger Joseph Lange (Sharon Dierschke), Laurie Lange Reagan (Scott), William Paul Lange and Aaron Arnold Lange. Their grandchildren are (Roger) Amy Lange Zubak, Eric Lange and Holly Lange Ewing; (Laurie) Jennifer Reagan Herzig and Brian Reagan; (Aaron) Coy, Kimberly, Christopher and Colby Lange, and eight great grandchildren.
Arnold and Ernestine started farming in Olfen immediately after marriage. They moved to Midkiff, then St. Lawrence for better opportunities. After a short while, they were able to achieve the dream of owning their own farm, where they raised their family. Arnold had an active, dry sense of humor. At 6’3”, his children remember having no trouble finding him in a crowd, usually being the tallest person around. They loved those Sundays their dad would cook up a batch of molasses candy; each bite guaranteed to keep any mouth busy for several minutes trying to chew.
Arnold came from a very musical family and could play most stringed or keyed instruments by ear. He was the Choir Director of the St. Lawrence Catholic Church for 15 years, many of those years with his daughters as organists. Arnold was also active in the church’s Men’s Society. He and Ernestine were excellent dancers.
He was a member of Glasscock County ISD School Board for 2 years, serving as president in his second year. He was a director of the local Coop Board for 2 years and helped originate the St. Lawrence Cotton Growers Association. He also was instrumental in starting the Boll Weevil Eradication Program in west Texas.
During their lives Arnold and Ernestine enjoyed traveling, hunting, fishing and playing 42 with family and friends. After retirement to San Angelo, Texas, they enjoyed the ability to attend daily Mass. They were members of Holy Angels Catholic Church. They attended most family reunions and were very proud of being a part of one of the largest families in Texas – the Hoelscher-Buxkempers.
Arnold was preceded in death by his first son, Roger, in 1994. Also preceding him were five brothers, two sisters, and many in-laws, nieces and nephews.
A Rosary will be held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, November 26, 2017 at Harper Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 27, 2017 at Holy Angels Catholic Church with Rev. Charles Greenwell as celebrant. Interment will resume 2:00 P.M. at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in San Angelo. Funeral arrangements are by Harper Funeral Home, 2606 Southland Blvd, San Angelo.
The Family would like to thank all the caregivers of Dad, the staff of Lyndale, Regency House, and Hospice of San Angelo for their excellent care during this difficult time.