Donald E. Lange passed peacefully on April 12, 2015 at his home surrounded by family, just ten days after the same group gathered to celebrate his 85th birthday. Donald entered the world with true panache on April 2, 1930, being born on the kitchen table of his parent's Salt Lake City home. As the story goes, Donald's mother Blanche believed her labor would last longer than it did, and insisted on waiting for father Carl Lange to return home and accompany her to the hospital. As he so often did later in life, Donald "teased" everyone by making an early appearance.
Donald grew up with loving brothers Ray (predeceased) and Keith, who continues to live in Salt Lake City. Don graduated from South High School in 1948, and married Eleanor Wegner on May 23, 1952. After serving his country during the Korean War as a member of the U.S. Army Tank Corps, Donald spent 35 years working for Mountain Bell, and another 10 years running his own telephone business. Post-retirement, Donald and Eleanor spent 20 glorious years wintering at Mountain Shadows in Hemet, California, where the couple made many life-long friendships. Never forgetting family, Donald and Eleanor always returned home to Salt Lake between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and for the summer months.
Donald was an avid boater, and the Lange family has many precious memories of summer outings to Lake Powell. Don also loved to golf, never met a jigsaw puzzle he couldn't bring to its knees, and made the self-proclaimed "world's best caramels." He was a skilled carpenter and jack of all trades, and used those skills to completely remodel and expand the home where he raised his family, lived for 60 years with his one true love, and ultimately passed on to be with his Heavenly Father. Don was a faithful member of the LDS Church, and also enjoyed serving as a Wagon Master for the Good Sam Beehive Roamers.
Don's proudest achievement was his family. In addition to his loving bride of 62 years and brother Keith, Don is survived by children Suzan, Todd (Paula), Shannon, and Jill (Paul), grandchildren Amy, Emily, Cameron (Karen), and Michael (Kaitlin), and great grandchildren Sara, Lucy, Hattie, and Megan. He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by family and many friends.
A viewing will be held from 6:00-8:00 pm on Friday, April 17, 2015 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 S.), Sandy, Utah. A graveside service will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, April 18 at the same location. The Lange family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to hospice caregivers Melissa and Nubia, and to the entire staff of Intermountain Healthcare Hospice. In lieu of flowers, Donald would prefer that donations be made to the Melanoma Program IHC or to the Veteran's Administration.
