Katherine Elizabeth Lange's Obituary
Katherine Elizabeth Lange, age 92, of Gig Harbor, WA, peacefully passed away on August 14, 2019 at St.Anthony Hospital. She was surrounded by her beloved family, son David Lange and his wife & son Patrice O’Neill and Ben Lange, daughter Susan Jett, grandson Kelly Romano and his wife Rikki and their children Colton Ott, London, Sasha and Zoe Torsen, and granddaughter Giona Romano. Her husband of more than sixty years, Milton Lange passed away on Nov. 18, 2008. She is survived by her much-loved sister and brother-in-law, Lois & Neal Miller and her sister-in-law Elaine Crane, great-grandsons Bryce Keefover and Jakob Schilling, son-in-law Nick Schilling, and a slew of nieces, nephews, and friends and neighbors. And of course, her cats. Friends and family will remember her for her dry sense of humor, love of birds and gardening, her quiet kindness, generosity and her pies. Her sense of humor was assured long before she was born. The eleventh of 12 children named in alphabetical order, Kathy was always ‘K’ when relatives attempted to understand the family tree. Of course, when it came to the annual Easter egg fights, wherein hardboiled eggs were pitted against one another fronts to fronts and backs to backs Kathy knew how to pick a winner. She was an avid fan of the Seattle Mariners. If there was a game on, the little tv in the kitchen was tuned to it. She and Milt purchased their house and acreage outside of Gig Harbor in 1976. They transformed a little house surrounded by a mud patch into and warm and welcoming home with extensive, productive, and beautiful gardens which she kept up until the very last. Apples, berries, grapes, potatoes and more were preserved as juices, pies, and stock for the larder for many years. The deck was always full of flowers and hummingbirds. The muddy soil was built up to support spectacular rhododendrons – every single one of the dozens now towering over the property, were lovingly planted by Milt & Kathy. Kathy presided over scores of large family gatherings, cooking and baking for days on end, never once complaining, and always able to tread the careful balance between being a well-prepared and completely relaxed hostess. She knew how to create an atmosphere that allowed any and every one to feel welcomed and loved.
For many years she and Milt donated their time to their Gig Harbor church visiting the sick and preparing food for memorial services. In the winter, their deck was full of wreaths they created from branches off the trees on their land, which they painstakingly placed at the gravesite of countless loved ones. Kathy was a doer. Her love was expressed over and over again in acts of kindness, beauty, generosity, and grace. Her example is an inspiration to the generations of friends and relatives she encountered and cared for. She has surely been received into the arms of her loving God as a good and faithful servant.
What’s your fondest memory of Katherine?
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Share a story where Katherine's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Katherine you’ll never forget.
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