Dennis “Denny” W. Lange
Dennis “Denny” W. Lange, age 74, of Minden, passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024, at his home.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 25, at Minden United Methodist Church with Reverend Peter Choi and Kevin Hinds officiating. Interment will be held following the service at the Minden Cemetery with military honors presented
by the Minden American Legion and Heartwell Veterans of Foreign Wars. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. today (Thursday) at Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Casual attire is encouraged. Memorials in Denny’s honor are kindly suggested to Paws Up Kearney County, Minden Volunteer Fire Department, or to Boys Town.
Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden.
Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www. craighfunerals.com.
Dennis Wayne Lange was born on December 29, 1949, to F. Wayne and Verla (Peters) Lange in Kearney. He grew up in the Lowell area and attended school at Lowell and Gibbon schools, graduating from Gibbon High School in 1968.
He entered the United States Army in 1970 and served selflessly as a radio operator in the Vietnam War, where he earned the rank of Buck Sergeant. He was discharged in September of 1971.
He was united in marriage to Fran on June 21, 1975, in Gibbon. To this union, one son, Joshua Lange was born and he lovingly accepted Fran’s children, Jodi and Bradley as his own. The family made their home in Minden and Streator, Illinois. Denny devoted 40 years to Morton Buildings as a crew foreman and lift truck operator. He retired from Morton Buildings in 2012 and didn’t miss a beat, continuing to work in construction. Denny built decks, installed windows, and could complete any project to perfection. His love of being outside flowed over to his love for animals, especially cows. Denny and Fran raised Gelbvieh cattle together and even had a pair of ostriches at one time.
Denny enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching old westerns, reading, and spending time with his grandkids and greatgrandkids. One of the most important things to Denny was teaching his sons and grandsons all that he knew.
You didn’t see Denny without his refill cup of Dr. Pepper very often. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and the American Legion. He didn’t know a stranger and made every person he met feel loved.
Our hearts are heavy but forever grateful for the love he showed us and the lessons he taught us.
Those left to cherish his memory include the love of his life, Fran; sons, Bradley (Alicia) Feldman, of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Joshua Lange, of Minden; daughter, Jodi (Kevin) Hinds, of North Platte; mother, Verla Lange, of Minden; grandchildren, Ben (Jen) Schall, Catie Blessin, Aidan, Austin, and Avery Feldman, and Finnley Mae and Emma Marie Kalkhorst; great-grandchildren, Carley and Collin Schall and Remingtyn, Maisyn and Jentry Blessin; siblings, Mike (Kathy) Lange, Terri Smith, Diane (Tim) Bayley, and Denise (Gregg) Nutter. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, friends and his “sunshine,” Alli Lempka.
He was preceded in death by his father; and brothers-in-law, Robert Smith and Jim Carter.