Note: a free Zoom account is required to watch the services. If you have questions please call 801-363-5781.
Eleanor Lange passed peacefully on March 7, 2023, surrounded by her family. Eleanor was an only child born in Salt Lake on September 30, 1931, to parents Eric and Mary Wegner.
Though born in the U.S., Eleanor did not start speaking English until the first grade, having spent her early childhood living with German immigrant parents in the Avenues surrounded by many neighbors hailing from Deutschland. While Eleanor had no siblings, she made friends easily, including a special childhood friend she viewed as a sister (Norma Fletcher) who similarly spoke only German until elementary school.
Eleanor was a gifted soprano who enjoyed singing and performing, which started in childhood with roles in Promised Valley and many other plays and continued as a vocalist for many decades with the Allegro Chorus and the Eleanor Kennard Chorale. Eleanor graduated from East High School in 1949 and married Donald Lange on May 23, 1952, with whom she had four children –Suzan, Todd (Paula), Shannon, and Jill (Paul).
She spent 20 years working as a data processor at the University of Utah, but never missed a beat as a devoted mother and homemaker, waking in the wee hours every morning and working late into the night as she juggled her household duties and job. Looking back on those years, her children deeply appreciate the hard work and sacrifices she made to ensure they had everything they needed, including happy childhoods during which they always knew their mother loved them and was doing everything she could to help them succeed.
Good times during those years included decades of boating at Bear Lake and Lake Powell with family and friends. After Don and Eleanor retired, they spent many winters traveling to their second home in Hemet, California, where they built enduring friendships with their neighbors in the Mountain Shadows community. They also traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe, often with those friends. Eleanor had a friendly and positive demeanor, a beautiful smile, and a genuine sweetness that drew people to her throughout her life.
During the last years of her life, Eleanor lived at the home of her daughter Suzan, who provided the loving care that Eleanor so deserved. The family sincerely appreciates Suzan’s sacrifices and devotion during Eleanor’s final years. The family also wishes to thank everyone who helped care for Eleanor during that time.
Eleanor is survived by her four children (above), four grandchildren Amy, Emily (Brian), Cameron (Karen), and Michael (Kaitlin), and eight great-grandchildren, Sara, Lucy, Hattie, Megan, Rowan, Ethan, Phoebe, and Sylvie.
An evening to honor Eleanor with family and friends will be held from 6:00-8:30 pm on Thursday, March 16th at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. 10600 S. A family graveside service will take place on Friday, March 17th.
My condolences
Dear Lange Family,
My deepest condolences to each of you and your families. I am sad that I am unable to be with you to say goodbye to your precious mother. I already made a post, but it disappeared and I am not sure if it posted or not, so I am sorry if this is a repeat.
My first memories of your family were the trips that you made to Idaho to visit us on the farm. We lived in a small two bedroom house and a bed was set up outside for the children to sleep in to make room for your family. We would visit Sun Valley, swim in Ketchum, have family gatherings with my Mom's family, the Huberts, enjoy delicious food, lots of jokes, laughter, as well as great stories about our parent's experiences together in the army. I loved those stories. I loved your mother's sweet smile and gentle character, and felt of her genuine love for me and my family.
Trips to visit your family in SLC were absolutely exciting compared to living on the farm. Your parents bent over backwards to accommodate our large family! We loved the lights, the big city, Ratskeller pizza, Snelgrove's ice cream, Temple Square, the wonderful meals that your mother fixed, playing with all of you kiddos, and just the feeling of warmth and love that was felt. We later enjoyed experiences together at Bear Lake, Lake Powell, and maybe even a trip to Red Fish Lake. Our mother's provided the best meals and our father's kept the boats in tip-top shape so we could enjoy our days boating and water skiing. Your mother had a knack for making each person in our family feel special and never pushed us aside. There was never any doubt in my mind that she loved me and cared for me.
We have all been blessed by her life and years of wonderful memories. I am grateful for the sweet friendship that existed between our families and know they will continue on into the next life. She treasured her friends and family and we all treasured her. You will remain in my prayers for comfort at this time. It is not easy to say goodbye to our dear ones and all of the memories come flooding back. Take care of yourselves and know that I will be thinking of you.
With Sympathy & Love,
Cindy Lawlor