Memorial services for Rich will take place on Saturday, April 26 at 11:00 A.M. at First Presbyterian Church in Marshalltown. A visitation will be held one hour prior beginning at 10:00 A.M. Memorials may be directed to the family for a later designation. Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Richard and his family. To leave online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. or call Ph. 641-844-1234.

Richard Alvin Lange, was born March 15, 1940 in Sac City, Iowa. He was the son of Alvin and Catherin (Bettin) Lange. He grew up on the family farm north of Odebolt with his sisters: Jolene, Marlene and Jean, with many extended family living nearby. He had a wonderful childhood, where he was raised in a Christian home. He attended Odebolt-Arthur school, where he was active in FFA, football and track. He graduated in 1959.

Since a career in farming wasn’t an option, shortly after high school, he began his life-long career in the meat packing industry. His first job was at the original Iowa Beef plant in Denison. Then in 1962, he transferred to the IBP plant in Fort Dodge. He was known for his excellent knife skills and his strong work ethic. In 1976 he passed the USDA exam to become a Federal Meat Inspector. This offered a move to Marshalltown, where he worked at the JBS plant until his retirement in 2000. He was well liked by all levels of employees and received many awards.

In high school, Rich fell in love with a fellow classmate who lived four miles down the road. On February 10, 1963 he married the love of his life, Arlene Howard, in the Odebolt Presbyterian Church. They remained sweethearts for nearly 62 years. That love was very obvious to everyone who knew them. They were proud parents of two sons: Shawn born in 1964 and Damon born in 1966. Rich was a wonderful husband and father and headed their home with love for God, love for each other and fun. As a family, they particularly loved all outdoor activities, including camping and boating. Good food was routine and family time around the supper table was never missed.

Through his life, Rich had many hobbies and interests. He took great pride in his home and yard. He planted vegetables and flowers from seed and landscaped their yard, spending hours outside. He loved spending time on the lake, fishing in his boat with Arlene and his friends and family. He enjoyed camping which progressed from a little tent to a big RV with travel throughout the US and Canada.

In retirement in 2000, Rich and Arlene became “Winter Texans” and spent several months in the winter at Lakewood RV Resort in Harlingen, Texas. Here they learned to square dance, country dance and developed a vast new group of wonderful friends. No one wore a black cowboy hat like Rich Lange, and when the band played “Waltz Across Texas,” he and Arlene always made it to the dance floor.

Rich was well known as a devout Christian who lived by his faith. His personal daily devotions were never missed. He was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church in Marshalltown.

He was a generous man who got great joy in sharing with others. Whether it was the vegetables and flowers he grew, fish he caught, food he cooked, apple fritters, grapefruits and onions from Texas, he absolutely loved giving and sharing with others. To him, it was just something you did.

He was a soft spoken man with a beautiful smile whose actions spoke louder than words. He loved life, had a strong work ethic, and treated others with dignity, love and respect. He always said he was blessed by God and lived a wonderful life. In the words of his granddaughter, “Grandpa was the kindest, nicest man I ever knew.”

Those blessed to be a part of his life include his loving wife, Arlene Lange; his children: Shawn (Mary) Lange of Durango, CO, and Damon (Joy Jackson) Lange of Salida, CO; his grandchildren: Rachel (Kevin) Elo of Redding, CA, Emily Lange of Detroit, MI, Nathan Lange of Milwaukee, WI, Micaela Huss of Phoenix, AZ and Kiera Huss of Phoenix, AZ; seven great-grandchildren; his two siblings: Jolene Langle of Austin, TX and Jean Bengfort of Phoenix, AZ and a host of friends.

Richard Lange was preceded in death by his parents Alvin and Catherine, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Harry and Pearl Howard, his infant grandson Spencer Lange, and his sister Marlene Ness.