Lange, Esther

Esther A. Lange, 88, of New Baden, died Saturday, January 19, 2013 at St. Joseph Hospital in Breese. She was born August 10, 1924 in Addieville, daughter of Fred W. and Clara (Lohmeyer) Kruse. She married Wilbert H. “Whip” Lange on August 31, 1947 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Okawville and he preceded her in death on February 14, 1990. She is survived by her children, Donald G. (Diane) Lange of Addieville, Robert (Dianna) Lange of Mascoutah, Judy (Tony) Grant of Trenton; daughter-in-law, Sue (Bob) Schwankhaus of Okawville; seven grandchildren, Kelly (Brian) George, Tara Lange, Joseph (Bridget) Lange, Eric Lange, Nick Lange, Corey (Jennifer) Jasper, Gregory (Casey) Jasper; eight great-grandchildren, Owen George and Colin George, Travis Jasper, Tyler Jasper, Bree Jasper, Gracie Jasper, Claire Jasper and Jacob Lange; three sisters, Gladys Lange of O’Fallon, Laverne Kolweier and Doris (Charles) Schliefer all of Nashville; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Naomi and Stan Szylowski of St. Louis, MO and Vera Lange of Addieville. In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by three sons, Jerry Lange and James and David Lange in infancy; two sisters, Elsie Kruse in infancy and Mildred Suedmeyer; four brothers-in-law, Elroy Suedmeyer, Clarence Lange, Earl Kolweier and Herb Lange. Mrs. Lange was a homemaker. She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Mascoutah. Esther loved flowers, gardening and reading. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, January 21, 2013 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden with Pastor Kirk Clayton officiating. Burial will follow at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Okawville. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of service on Monday, January 21, 2013 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to American Heart Association or Diabetes Association or Parkinson’s Foundation and will be received at the funeral home.