Timothy Lange

Sibley, IA 

     Timothy Lange age 70 of Sibley, Iowa died Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at his residence in Sibley.

     Memorial service will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, October 2^nd at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sibley, IA, with Reverend Tim Nappe officiating.

     Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

    Timothy Howard Lange was born April 7, 1951 in Manning, Iowa, the son of Russell and Joan (Ferry) Lange. He grew up on the family farm in Irwin, Iowa and attended school at Irwin through the 8^th grade before moving to Elk Horn, Iowa, where he met his future wife, Patricia “Patty” Jensen. They walked down the aisle together for the first time at their graduation in May 1969.

     Tim and Pat were united in marriage at Elk Horn Lutheran Church on April 3, 1971. Tim and Pat lived in several small communities in NW Iowa before moving to Sibley in 1984 where they have lived and raised their family for the past 37 years. 

    As a boy, Tim worked in his mom and dad’s grocery store and locker in Elk Horn and began cutting meat alongside his father when he was 14 years old. He would go on to own his own meat locker, Lange’s Locker, for a few years in Sutherland, Iowa. He worked for most of his life cutting meat for different packing plants in the area. After retiring from the meat cutting industry, he worked at Exopack in Sibley and then at Sudenga in rural George, Iowa. At Sudenga, he was able to work with his daughter Jenny, son Chris, and son-in-law, Christopher, who also worked there. Tim retired in 2016 to be able to travel and spend time with his family.

  Tim’s faith and his family were two of the most important things in his life. Tim was a member of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church for 37 years.

    Tim was a devoted husband and father, he never missed an opportunity to show his love and support to his family. He enjoyed gathering with his large extended family each year at Lange Christmas. He loved to attend the sporting events and activities of his children and nephews, and later his grandchildren, to cheer them on from the sidelines. He loved attending the Osceola County Fair each summer to watch his granddaughters show their animals. He was always so proud of the accomplishments of those he loved and will be remembered as being a rock of strength and support by those who loved him. Tim was a fantastic cook, like his parents, and fed his family the tastiest homemade meals at family gatherings. His famous potato salad was not to be missed! He and Pat enjoyed family camping trips and traveling together. As a symbol of faith and freedom, Tim had an affinity for eagles. He loved watching the Iowa Hawkeyes play football and basketball. He enjoyed it so much when he and his sister were able to attend Hawkeye games together in Iowa City. When it was baseball season, Tim rarely missed a game if the Minnesota Twins were playing. Other past times that Tim enjoyed were reading, spending time with his dog, Harley, playing cards with family and friends, and enjoying a laugh. Tim liked to tease Pat and his kids and grandkids, always with a twinkle in his eye. Tim had a smile that lit up the room and a laugh that would fill it. All who loved him will forever cherish the memories of his smile, his laugh, his presence, and his influence on their lives.

     This past Wednesday, September 29, 2021, Tim passed away peacefully in his home with his wife, Pat, and family by his side. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 50 years, Pat; children, Daniel (April) Lange of Royalton, MN, Jennifer (Christopher) Runge of Sibley, IA, Elizabeth (Andy) Sims of Little Rock, AR, Christian (Kimberly) Lange of Sibley, IA; six grandchildren, Zoey, Madeline, and Jackson Lange, Ashley (Josh) Nibbelink and Emily and Victoria Runge; four great grandchildren, Aiden, Lillian, JayCee, and KayLin Nibbelink; sister, Lori Thomas of Ft. Dodge, IA; brother, Bruce (Darcia) Lange of Promise City, IA; his mother-in-law, Rose Jensen; sister-in-law Diane Jensen, and brother-in-law, Tony (Denise) Jensen; his constant companion, his dog, Harley; and many beloved nephews, a niece, cousins, extended family and dear friends.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Joan Lange; father-in-law, Maynard Jensen; two brothers-in-law, Carl Jensen and BJ Thomas; and great granddaughter, Alexis Nibbelink.