James “Jim” C. Lange

obit template2018-11-29T12:10:12+00:00

James C.
Lange

James “Jim” C. Lange

James “Jim” Curtis Lange

February 5, 1929 – August 30, 2022

James Curtis Lange (Jim) died peacefully on Tuesday morning, August 30, 2022 at the age of 93. He was born to Raymond and Beatrice Lange on February 5, 1929.  Jim started a lifetime of building amazing projects as a boy when he built and flew a gas powered airplane that he carried on his bicycle out to the fields in the outskirts of Milwaukee.  In high school, he became an accomplished furniture builder creating beautiful tables, chairs, and wall shelving still in use today.  After high school graduation, Jim pursued his love of automobiles by attending the Milwaukee Technical College for auto repair.  He was then drafted into the Army and spent 2 years in the Alaskan Territory during the Korean Conflict.  After his return stateside, Jim partnered up with his dad to run the family business, Lange Beer Service which grew into Lange’s Beer and Liquor.

In his spare time, Jim tackled even more complicated projects which included building a wood boat in his bedroom and rebuilding two classic 1950’s Corvettes.  He met Barbara Ann Woeste on a blind date on Memorial Day weekend in 1953 and they married on September 8, 1956.  Together they built a cottage of his own design on Lake Nokomis just north of Tomahawk, Wisconsin. With the addition of their children Lawrence and LuAnn they enjoyed exploring God’s creations up north on weekends all year round, keeping warm in colder months by the fire in the wood stove he designed.

Jim continued to build in and on his life by renovating a brick ranch that had been a church, into the family home where he also hand-built a garage and a tree fort for his children.  He still tinkered with cars but now for Barb and the kids to drive including a vintage 60’s Fiat, VW Beetle, and a couple of Ford Pintos.

Upon retirement, Jim and Barb embarked on years of travel in their camper trailer enjoying trips to see the National Parks across the U.S. and Canada, and also friends and family especially their niece Liz and Mark Mitchell in Colorado.  The birth of their grandchildren (Katie, Noah, Liz, Megan and Matt) happily meshed with these retirement journeys so Jim became the ever present videographer for holidays and special events producing 17 years of video we still enjoy.   He continued his love of creating projects which included a HO Gauge train layout in his office, rings from silver spoon handles, wood frames, birdhouses and knives with handles of all kinds.

After Barb’s death in 2016, LuAnn kept her dad well-supplied with projects of all sorts when it became harder for him to stand and use the stairs. Jim spent his last 7 months in assisted living, memory care in Waukesha and continued to tinker with small projects including a Lego version of the 1960’s fiat he bought for Barb.   Also, in his last year, his greatest joy was the birth of his Great-Grandson Levi Atlas Lovdahl born to Megan.  Levi’s smile made Great-Grandpa smile like no one else could!

Jim is survived by his son Lawrence (Julie), and daughter LuAnn (David), his grandchildren Katie, Noah (Justina), Liz, Megan (Zack), Matt, and his great-grandchild Levi.

 

Visitation will take place on Friday, September 16, 2022 at the FUNERAL HOME, 4800 S 84th St. in Greenfield, from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM.

Private family interment to follow at Emanuel Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Shriners Hospital for Children, greatly appreciated.

 

HERITAGE FUNERAL HOMES

4800 S. 84th St, Greenfield

414-281-5533

5 Comments

  1. Carrie Grunwald September 8, 2022 at 5:41 am - Reply

    What a beautiful tribute to your dad. He was an amazing man, what a wonderful legacy he has left. I hope you memories will ease your loss❤️🙏

  2. Maryann Lund September 8, 2022 at 5:43 am - Reply

    Jim was an amazing man. Barb was my dear friend and got to know him thru her. He was always so much fun and so creative. We who worked at silver took camp together just loved him. He will be missed by so many
    Love Mary ann lund(Owl)

  3. Walter Milbrath September 8, 2022 at 2:45 pm - Reply

    May all those great memories get you and your entire family through this difficult time. Just imagine all the changes Jim has seen and been through in all his years. One of the Greatest Generation is an understatement. I am sure he is very Happy to be back with your mom. God Bless Him and God Bless your entire family. Until you meet again in Heaven enjoy all those precious memories. Thanks for sharing your dad’s story my dear friend it is very heart warming.

    God Bless

    Wally Milbrath
    Hales Corners Lutheran

  4. Judy Ortiz September 10, 2022 at 5:44 pm - Reply

    Your Dad was a great guy, I have great memories of time spent with your parents. My condolences Judy Ortiz, (Perky)

  5. Jennifer A Biehn September 14, 2022 at 11:13 pm - Reply

    For Jimmy – haiku created by cousin Jennifer in Oakland, CA

    Beloved cousin
    I carry you in my heart
    With love, gratitude

    You phoned, wrote often
    Reaching out with joy, kindness
    Ready to connect

    Know that you live on
    As beloved ancestor
    In our grateful hearts

    My dad, Uncle Roy, loved Jimmy, and appreciated his visits to Arch Cape, Oregon for family visits.
    Much gratitude to LuAnn and Larry for their thoughtful care of Jimmy in his elder years..
    Lots of love from Cousin Jenn

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