Obituary for Daryl Gene Lange
Daryl Gene Lange, 84, of Gardner, KS, peacefully passed away at Meadowbrook Rehabilitation Hospital on December 4, 2020. He was born on May 8, 1936, in Linn, KS, to Frank Walter and Irma Freda Matilda (Gross) Lange. Per the family’s wishes, in order to protect the health and safety of others, a private funeral service for immediate family only will be held to honor Daryl’s life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Parkinson's Foundation at parkinson.org. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com Arrangements: Bruce Funeral Home, 106 S Center, Gardner, KS 66030, (913) 856-7111.
After graduating from Linn High School in 1954, Daryl attended Kansas State University for 2 years. He served in the Army, stationed out of Ft Leonard Wood with a 2 year overseas assignment in Germany. After his discharge from the Army, Daryl began working for the Kansas Department of Transportation as a Surveyor and later an Inspector. Daryl retired in 1992 with 35 years of service for KDOT.
Daryl was the strong and silent type with a touch of orneriness. You knew he cared about and loved you by his actions more so than his words. If he could help in any way, he would have. He served as a volunteer firefighter, donated bone marrow to his sister LaDonna, and was a blood platelet donor. Daryl’s faith made him the man he was. He was a faithful servant to the Lord and valued his time with the family. In his spare time, he worked on cars, bought more cars, and strategically found places to store said cars. His love of cars and caring personality led to him being the family’s consultant about car issues and car purchases. He was also a member of an antique car club named “Horseless Carriage.”
Grandchildren and great-grandchildren filled Daryl and Kathy’s lives with joy. They loved having their home filled with their grandchildren’s presence and laughter. They often had visits and sleepovers with their 7 grandchildren and 5.5 great-grandchildren. The grandkids have many wonderful memories ranging from hunting Easter eggs filled with quarters to playing Clue or Risk to watching the Country Club Plaza Christmas lights. In addition to those memories, Daryl and Kathy taught their grandchildren about their faith at a young age. They would often go out of their way to take them to church on Sunday mornings or for Vacation Bible School. Daryl also taught them about and shared his love of cars with them.
Daryl is preceded in death by his parents, sister, LaDonna (Lange) Fahsholtz; daughter, Terri Sue Lange; and granddaughter, Jessica Irene Lange. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Elaine (Carlson) Lange of Olathe, KS; brother, Larry Lange of Marion, KS; sister, Darlene Hallgren of Topeka, KS; son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Trudy Lange of Gardner, KS; daughter and son-in-law, Corrine (Lange) and Donnie Gay of Osawatomie, KS; son, Kelly Lange of Lenexa, KS; stepdaughter and stepson-in-law, Debbie (Bialek) and Will Quan of Westminster, CO; son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Heather Lange of Gardner, KS; stepson, Tim Bialek of Overland Park, KS; grandson, Matt Lange of Olathe, KS; granddaughter, Heather (Gay) Green of Vassar, KS; grandson, Derek Gay of Olathe, KS; grandson, Darren Lange of Olathe, KS; granddaughter, Abigail Lange of Lawrence, KS; granddaughter, Alexandra Lange of Gardner, KS; and grandson, Ethan Lange of Gardner; great-granddaughters, Tara, Natalie, and Chelsea Green of Vassar, KS; great-granddaughters, Makenna and Kyla Gay of Olathe KS; and soon-to-be-born great-granddaughter, Baby Girl Lange of Olathe KS.
The family would like to thank the doctor, nurses, and staff at Meadowbrook who loved, prayed, and cared for Daryl.
After graduating from Linn High School in 1954, Daryl attended Kansas State University for 2 years. He served in the Army, stationed out of Ft Leonard Wood with a 2 year overseas assignment in Germany. After his discharge from the Army, Daryl began working for the Kansas Department of Transportation as a Surveyor and later an Inspector. Daryl retired in 1992 with 35 years of service for KDOT.
Daryl was the strong and silent type with a touch of orneriness. You knew he cared about and loved you by his actions more so than his words. If he could help in any way, he would have. He served as a volunteer firefighter, donated bone marrow to his sister LaDonna, and was a blood platelet donor. Daryl’s faith made him the man he was. He was a faithful servant to the Lord and valued his time with the family. In his spare time, he worked on cars, bought more cars, and strategically found places to store said cars. His love of cars and caring personality led to him being the family’s consultant about car issues and car purchases. He was also a member of an antique car club named “Horseless Carriage.”
Grandchildren and great-grandchildren filled Daryl and Kathy’s lives with joy. They loved having their home filled with their grandchildren’s presence and laughter. They often had visits and sleepovers with their 7 grandchildren and 5.5 great-grandchildren. The grandkids have many wonderful memories ranging from hunting Easter eggs filled with quarters to playing Clue or Risk to watching the Country Club Plaza Christmas lights. In addition to those memories, Daryl and Kathy taught their grandchildren about their faith at a young age. They would often go out of their way to take them to church on Sunday mornings or for Vacation Bible School. Daryl also taught them about and shared his love of cars with them.
Daryl is preceded in death by his parents, sister, LaDonna (Lange) Fahsholtz; daughter, Terri Sue Lange; and granddaughter, Jessica Irene Lange. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Elaine (Carlson) Lange of Olathe, KS; brother, Larry Lange of Marion, KS; sister, Darlene Hallgren of Topeka, KS; son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Trudy Lange of Gardner, KS; daughter and son-in-law, Corrine (Lange) and Donnie Gay of Osawatomie, KS; son, Kelly Lange of Lenexa, KS; stepdaughter and stepson-in-law, Debbie (Bialek) and Will Quan of Westminster, CO; son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Heather Lange of Gardner, KS; stepson, Tim Bialek of Overland Park, KS; grandson, Matt Lange of Olathe, KS; granddaughter, Heather (Gay) Green of Vassar, KS; grandson, Derek Gay of Olathe, KS; grandson, Darren Lange of Olathe, KS; granddaughter, Abigail Lange of Lawrence, KS; granddaughter, Alexandra Lange of Gardner, KS; and grandson, Ethan Lange of Gardner; great-granddaughters, Tara, Natalie, and Chelsea Green of Vassar, KS; great-granddaughters, Makenna and Kyla Gay of Olathe KS; and soon-to-be-born great-granddaughter, Baby Girl Lange of Olathe KS.
The family would like to thank the doctor, nurses, and staff at Meadowbrook who loved, prayed, and cared for Daryl.