Merle Roger Lange

Merle Lange, age 85, of Marshall, Minnesota, died on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at the Prairie Home Hospice – McLaughlin House in Marshall, Minnesota. A memorial gathering of family and friends will be held from 10:00 am – Noon on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. The morning will conclude with a prayer service at 11:30 a.m. Interment with military honors will follow in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Granite Falls, Minnesota.

Merle Roger Lange was born on August 13, 1938, in Granite Falls, Minnesota. He was the son of Max and Mildred (Pierce) Lange. Merle grew up in Granite Falls where he was baptized as an infant and then confirmed in his youth at the Lutheran Church. He attended Granite Falls schools and graduated there with the high school class of 1956. Shortly thereafter Merle enlisted in the United States Army and served with the 82nd Airborne prior to his honorable discharge in 1961.

On May 5, 1960, Merle was united in marriage to Mary Lou Nyberg while on deployment in Raleigh, North Carolina. There Merle found work as a cabinet maker and continued their profession when he moved back home to Granite Falls, Minnesota. He continued to work in cabinetry when the family later moved to Marshall, but he then also began to drive truck. Merle had many years behind the wheel before an accident in 1995 forced his retirement.

Merle was a proud member of the Marshall American Legion, spent 13 years with the Marshall fire department, and also served with the Auxiliary Police in Granite Falls. He was a past Eagles member - both in Minnesota and Arizona as they spent many winters down South. Merle started by driving the motorhome there in the late 1990s and after Mary Lou retired, they spent over 20 winters in the Arizona sun. His other enjoyments in life included snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, playing shuffleboard, and card games.

Merle Lange died peacefully on Sunday, February 18, 2024, in Marshall, Minnesota. He had reached the age of 85 years, 6 months, and 5 days. Blessed be his memory.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Lou Lange of Marshall; 3 children, Susan (and Todd) Christoffer of Erwin, SD, David Lange of Marshall, Holly (and Lee) Sorum of Marshall; 5 grandchildren, Katie (and Mat) Stahl of Maple Grove, Stephany (and Adam) Sletten of Nevis, Lucas (and Emily) Christoffer of Marshall, Shelby (and Cyrus) Birchard of Rogers, Aaron (and Sammi) Lange of Chanhassen; 8 great-grandchildren, Ella, Emmie, Kashton, Kalvin, Kyra, Beckett, Otis, Ray; brother, Dale Lange of Albuquerque, NM; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Mildred Lange, an infant daughter, and an infant son.