Obituary of Olive Lange

LANGE - With a profound sense of loss, we announce the passing of Olive Margaret Lange (nee McKen), wife of the Late Lester Lange of Yorkton on Friday, February 4th, 2022. Born at home just west of Yorkton in January of 1919, as the eldest of eight Olive was no stranger to hard work. She was often seen as a second mother to her youngest siblings with 18 years separating to the youngest, Wesley. Olive maintained a quiet yet fierce family pride throughout her life. In her late teens, Olive met her future husband Lester Lange through a mutual acquaintance. Lester had caught sight of Olive’s shapely legs while playing guitar at a community dance and the rest was history. They were married during the Depression in a modest ceremony at home, Olive in her best suit, March 29, 1938. Settling in at the Lange family farm, they welcomed their first son, Bruce, in June of 1939. Busy days were spent tending to the animals, the vegetable garden, her beautiful flower beds, minding the house and feeding her family. With a keen eye and steady hand, she mastered sewing, needlework, knitting and crochet. Olive’s creativity shone through in quiet moments with beautiful quilts, lace tablecloths and doilies, clothing, artwork, custom dolls and other decorative items including leather and copper tooling. Many of her beautiful works are now prized by family and friends. Sadly, 1949 saw the death of Olive’s father, Charles as well as her brother, Norman. Kenneth was born in January of the same year and shortly thereafter began the start of life living in Yorkton. Severe asthma prompted Lester to build a second home at 5 Dunlop Street East to provide a safer environment for Ken. And so began life as it was to be for many happy years; Olive raising the boys in town and Lester travelling back and forth to the farm. Ollie, as she was affectionately known by those closest, loved her boys and her family dearly. She championed their accomplishments and was happiest visiting and sharing photos and news of her extended family and many friends. Her ability to record, with exacting precision, the many facets of daily life in her journal and photo albums would surely make any historian proud. She loved to entertain and always had fresh baking and her famous buns on hand to be had with a cup of tea. Cards were inevitably brought out in a challenge of luck and allowed Olive’s competitive nature to make itself known. She continued to play cribbage with Bruce up to the last month of her life. A gracious winner, the camera appeared with every 29 point hand! Her beloved Lester passed away in 1989 after a short battle with cancer. Having celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary the year prior, it was a difficult time for Olive. She found solace with her family, friends, and her church family at the First Baptist Church. Ken and Trudi took over the family farm, while Olive lived in the house that Lester built. In her 90’s she moved to The Bentley and then, more recently, the nursing home. Shortly before her passing, healthy and spirited, Olive celebrated her 103rd birthday out for a surprise lunch with family that drove in for the occasion. During the lunch she exclaimed, ”I wish we would always be this happy!” Olive was predeceased by her husband, Lindley Lester Lange (1915-1989); her son Ken Lange (1949-2012); her parents, Charles McKen (1884-1949) and Ethel McKen (nee Everest) (1896-1979); her brothers Reginald (1920), Norman (1949), Wesley (1971), her sister Ada (2015) and her daughter-in-law Madeleine Lange (nee Pfeifer)(2007). She will be loved and remembered by her son, Bruce (Carol); daughter-in-law, Trudi; brothers Maurice (Jean) and Stanley (Linda); her sister Joyce (Bill); grandchildren JoAnna (Gerry), Kevin (Liana), Jennifer, Stephanie and Christopher; great-grandchildren Brandy (Neal), Ashley (Sam), Taylor, Emily and Connor; great-great grandchildren, Kai, Clara, Quinn, Jocelyn, and Addison as well as many other nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life with committal in the family plot in the Yorkton City Cemetery was held on Friday, May 20, 2022, with Pastor Steve Rosluk officiating. The piper was Erin Clifford. Service Details. Service When: Friday, May 20th, 2022 2:00pm Location: Yorkton City Cemetery Address: King St. East YORKTON, SK Interment Location: Yorkton City Cemetery Address: King St. East YORKTON, SK Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Ongoing Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of Olive Lange January 16, 1919 - February 4, 2022 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book