Gerald David Lange

PORTAGE – Gerald David Lange, age 89, passed away on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at Tivoli in Portage.

Gerald was born on June 24, 1928 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, the son of Ben and Margaret (Knapton) Lange and grew up on the family farm located between Marshall and Deerfield.  He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served his country during the Korean conflict.  After his discharge he began a long career with the U.S. Postal Service, first riding the rails as he sorted and delivered mail at rail stations throughout the Midwest and later at the Central Post Office in Madison.  Gerald married Mary Blau on October 31, 1972;  he and Mary spent the next 34 years together, until she passed away in 2007.  Together they raised Mary’s daughter, Martha.  Gerald was recognized for his work on the trains and traveled to Washington D.C. to share his stories about life on the mail train. His story is part of the archives in the U.S. Postal Museum in Washington D.C.  He married Betty Ring on August 24, 2013.                
Gerald is survived by his wife, Betty Ring Lange, of Portage;  his brothers, Robert (Bev) Lange and Darrell (Carol) Lange; his sister, Mary Ann (Hank) Veith;  and his step-daughter, Martha (David) Allen of Middleton, and their family.  Gerald is also survived by Betty’s daughter, Loriann (Roy) Knapton, and her family, as well as several treasured nieces and nephews and many friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, David Lange and his first wife, Mary.

Memorial services will be held at noon on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, W8267 Highway 33 E, Portage, with Rev. Julie Krahn officiating.  Military Honors will be provided by Portage Area Veteran’s Honor Guard.  Private inurnment will take place in St. Camillus Cemetery at Durward’s Glen. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until noon on Saturday at the church.

Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, W8267 Highway 33 E, Portage, WI 53901, The National Railroad Museum, 2285 S. Broadway, Green Bay, WI 54304, or the American Diabetes Foundation, 2800 Royal Ave., Monona, WI 53713.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Tivoli for their compassionate care of Gerald during the last two months of his life.  Rest in peace Gerald.  We’ll see you again.  

The Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.